Tribal Tattoos – History Of The Symbolic Tribal Tattoos

Tribal tattoos have been used for centuries to embody everything from rites of passage to the pure pleasure found in a geometric design. Origins of tattoos are found on every continent, and occupied Island in the world, that has an ancient culture system. Every tattoo parlor has a volume of tribal tattoos for their clients to choose from. While most are free hand drawings, many can be traced to the ancient traditions they were first designed as a symbol for.
The symbolisms of tribal tattoos were once used to trace family roots, with each intricate swirl or mark, a curve in the family line. There are tribes in existence today that still use tribal tattoos as a means of identification between different branches of the same tribe. When someone travels they are instantly recognized by their tattoos and either made welcome, or rejected. The tribal tattoos used as marks to prove passage into womanhood, or manhood, serve as a constant reminder of adulthood and its new responsibilities.

Intricate Beauty Of Tribal Tattoos                     

The intricate detailing of most tribal tattoos requires a steady hand, and an attention to detail. The colors in tribal tattoos are traditionally solid blacks, and this adds to the difficulties of working with small intrinsic designs. The careful filling in of tribal tattoos must be completed for the tattoo to be correct. Solid blocks of color will show a mistake quite easily. Most tribal tattoos are only done by exceptionally skilled tattoo artist, with a reputation for excellence.
Acquiring a tattoo today is usually done for aesthetic reasons; the pleasure of having a new tribal tattoo to say something unique about you. In some countries women who cannot endure the pain of being inked, are considered cowards, and therefore not deemed worthy to endure the pain of childbirth. She would be unable to wed, or leave her father’s house without disgracing the family. Boy’s of the Maori tribes of New Zealand, were given their first tattoo upon completion of a dangerous task, if he did not complete the task, he was not a man, and could never bear the facial tattoos needed to prove his manhood.

Placement of the tribal tattoos on the body was once a crucial decision. Protection tattoos worn into battle had to be inked on skin that would otherwise be exposed to an enemies blow. Facial tattoos, such as those worn by Maori, were meant to intimidate the enemy, along with their ritualistic displays of exaggerated facial expressions, and warrior stances. Tribal Tattoos placed on the hands gave men added strength with a weapon, and allowed them to believe in their prowess as hunters, or warriors.

Tribal Tattoos – Symbolic Representation Of Power

Rites of passage tattoos can still be seen today, as the popular habit of receiving a young man’s first tattoo falls on his eighteenth birthday. The ancient practice of proving to the world that you are now a man is still widely popular among all tribes and races of people, no matter their culture. Tattoos are also the way organized crime families, such as the Russian Mafia, Chinese, Japanese, and even the street gangs mark their members for distinction.
No matter the reason for using tattoos, the personal decision, or the carrying on of a tradition, the ink is still there for the world to admire always. Tribal tattoos are symbols of power, and are beautiful in their design elements.

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