Tribal Tattoo Designs: A Common Thread
Tattoos, an ancient form of identification and religious expression, are growing increasingly popular. Their resurgence corresponds with a cultural desire for rebellion and artistic freedom; tattoos, like piercings, are body modifications that often symbolize coming-of-age. In a sense, tattoos can be almost anything; from black ink to a rainbow of colors, tattoo artists are able to draw anything from simple sketches to detailed landscapes and portraits. However, tribal tattoo designs are some of the most popular choices in tattoo studios across the country and around the world. This revival of ancient hieroglyphics and motifs permanently ties the next generation to the generations of the past, creating a common thread throughout the history of humanity.
History in Ink
Tribal tattoo designs were some of the first tattoos, and as such, most tattoos even now have some tribal slant to them. The nature of tribalism is innate to the art of tattooing; from rebellion to affiliation, the reasons behind tattoos have not changed much over thousands of years. Some of the first tribal tattoo designs incorporated sun symbols, often dedicated to various gods and fire elementals. Celtic knots, totems, flowers, crosses and dragons have been included in tribal tattoo designs for centuries, and while modern tattoo art often focuses on fairies, skulls, angels and hearts, these original tribal components are still evident.
Many people are aware of their connections to history. They are aware of evolution and human progress, and their eternal connections to their ancestors. While some individuals do not understand the undertones of tribal tattoo designs, most do, and they use these inked lines and shapes to connect to the mysteries of the past, and in the process, reinforce their own self-images.
The idea of tribal tattoo designs can be traced back to Asia, from both the artwork to the word itself. Most countries, civilizations and religious bodies used tribal tattoo designs for identification, and each origin produced original, unique work. In the modern tattoo world, tribal tattoo designs are filtered into their own group, and many of the differences between regional works have been lost in translation. Originally, however, styles were very culturally-specific, including designs from the Aztecs, Mayans, Egyptians, Celts, Pagans, Samoans, Maori, American Indians, Japanese, Hindu, Hawaiians and Africans.
However, the meaning behind the physical locations of tattoos has been forgotten over the years. Tribal tattoo designs can be placed almost anywhere on the body. Armbands are popular, especially using flames or knots. Circle tribal tattoo designs are perfect for the navel and nipple areas, and many are sketched specifically for the upper or lower back. When it comes to location, meaning is usually left up to the individual; these personal decisions rarely depend on common history.
