Origins of Tribal Tattoos

By Becky McClure
The Dream Tattoo Resource Expert

In recent years, Tribal Tattoos have enjoyed a revival, which makes a great topic for a tattoo article. The originals go beyond the intertwined stripes of black shapes that are common today. Many of the ancient tattoo patterns have given away to swirls, spikes, knots, and totems that come from the imagination of the creator rather than any of the ancient tribes.

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The tribal art tattoos comes from the older tribes such as the Celtics (Ireland, Scotland, & Wales), Maori Tribe (indigenous people of New Zealand), The Haida Tribe (indigenous people along the west coast of North America), the Marquesan (Polynesian inhabitants of the Marquises Islands) and the tribes of Borneo. Native Americans also used tattoos to denote rank, wealth, tribe affiliation, family, role in society and deeds of bravery.

Celts
The Celts were a proud, warrior class who inhabited the English Isles before the Roman invasion 55 B.C. under Julius Caesar. The Celts were such a pain in the rear that the Romans built the Hadrian Wall to keep them away. But I digress; the endless knots inside and out of the outlines identify the Tribal tattoos of the Celtics.

Haida
The Haida are North American Indians who were expert fishermen and seafarers who lived along the coast of British Columbia and Alaska. These people are well known as skilled artisans of wood, metal and design. They were also known as fearsome warriors who kidnapped slaves as far south in California. The Tribal tattoos of the Haida resembled pictures of the Indian astrology, thunderbirds, beavers, bears, and fish. The tattoo style of the Haida is forceful and masculine.

Marquesan
Sea-faring Polynesians from Samoa colonized the Marquises Islands as early as 300 A.D. They were warring tribes who sometimes cannibalized their enemies. The devastation of the native Marquesan occurred with the introduction of diseases from the European explorers. These islanders covered their bodies completely with tattoos. The Marquesan Islanders used their bodies as a living canvas that told picture stories.

Borneo
Borneo is the third largest island in the world. The rainforest of the Borneo Island is very rich in biodiversity. The tribes of Borneo used tattoos for protection and proof of their achievements. Needless to say, they were notorious as headhunters. Their tattoos usually took the form of scorpions, flowers, dogs, dragons and spirals.

Celebrities

• The ex-professional boxer, Mike Tyson’s facial tattoo was influenced by a combination of the Maori and Borneo Tribal tattoos.
• Sandra Bullock has a Tribal tattoo design below her navel.
• Pamela Anderson of Bay Watch fame, has a Tribal design on her lower back.

Tribal Tattoos Conclusion:

The vivid pattern of the Tribal tattoos expresses personal freedom and uniqueness of the wearer. Tribal tattoos have a simple appeal that reinforces a positive feeling about ourselves and connects us to ancient mystery of the tribal rituals, which faded away with history.

All the Best!

Becky McClure

The Dream Tattoo Resource Expert

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