The Pagan Predilection For Tribal Tattoo Designs
The Pagan Predilection For Tribal Tattoo Designs
Pagans or believers of Earth-based faith systems are more open to the idea of getting tattoos than some other faith systems. When they do get a tattoo, they often lean towards tribal tattoo designs -- designs based on the traditional art of the Celts, the Native Americans and occasionally Vikings. These peoples had a healthy respect for nature, which a modern Pagan hopes to live by, too. Not only that, but tribal tattoo designs look really cool. When David Letterman asked one of his staff to get a tattoo for a comedy skit, the staffer chose an Aztec sun, even though she herself was not Aztec and her faith system was uncertain.
What Is Old Is New Again
Tattoos were very popular in ancient cultures like the Celts, where they were taken very seriously. The designs on their flesh (usually blue, from the ink of the woad plant) mimicked the designs prevalent in nearly all aspects of their lives - on their weapons, cooking utensils, sacred objects and even personal grooming equipment. These tribal tattoo designs were considered powerful magic in and of themselves. To have a tattoo of a sacred symbol was to take the symbol's magic and put it permanently upon yourself. Tattoos were not only on limbs, but placed all over the body, especially the head.
Pagans know the inherent magic in a tribal tattoo design isn't in the tattoo itself, but what your personal association about that tattoo is. The tribal tattoo design serves as a sigil - a focus for certain thoughts. For example, perhaps a Pagan has a tribal tattoo design of Celtic knots around the upper arm. The wearer looks at the design and is reminded that his or her arm is blessed and will do good works. The tattoo reinforces these positive thoughts and helps the wearer get done whatever needs to be done for the day.
Why Get A Tattoo
Some Pagans get a tribal design tattoo as a reminder and none-too-subtle display of their faith system. Some get one to celebrate their personal ancestral heritage. Some get it to celebrate recovering from a bad patch - the tattoo serves as a reminder that you can survive. Some Pagans might have seen a specific design in their dreams or vision quests and this symbol has a deep personal meaning that they probably would rather not explain. And some Pagans just like tribal tattoo designs just for the look of them.