Tribal Tattoo Designs

For thousands of years many tribes across the world have used ink impressions to symbolise certain things and to identify themselves.  Many cultures especially around the Pacific believe that the marks that you put on your body are a reflect of your soul and internal power.

These tattoos were very painful to carry out as the ink was hammered into the skin with bone.  So the more marks you had, the more of a man you were seen to be.  Having said this women in may of the tribes around the world were encouraged to have tattoos; however, they were never as heavily marked as the men.

Although today you do not have to endure the traditional way of tattooing, in some places they do carry out these practises.  In the London Tattoo Convention, you can see people having these ancient practices carried out in more hygienic circumstances.  Tattoos can take ten times longer to carry out, but if you do have it done the traditional way, it can make your tattoo even more special.

We will go through some of the most popular tribal tattoos that are used in today's body art.

Maori Tattoos

The Maori style tattoo has become very popular in recent years.  The use of strong lines and circular patterns makes for a stunning design.  Traditionally the men of New Zealand would have the art work covering their whole bodies, neck and faces included.  Many people like to combine Celtic ideas with Maori as their styles marry up quite nicely.

African Tattoos

Similar to the Maori tattoos, African tattoos include strong lines and patterns, but the emphasis is not so much on the circular designs.  The lines are more angular and are better suited to arm band designs which are very popular at the moment.  Another thing that can look very effective is incorporating powerful animal images inbetween the lines such as lions, elephants and tigers.  You may feel like you can affiliate yourself with the animal and its spirit to make a beautiful and strong design.

North American Tattoos

Many Americans are wanting more and more to connect with their heritage.  Native American tattoo designs can look spectacular and be very meaningful to those who have them.  Unlike the African and Maori tattoos, the North Americans used red ink, hens their nickname 'redskins'.  But a word of warning, traditionally, if a person wore a design falsely, the offending tattoo would be cut out of the person's skin!

In the time of the redskins, the designs would tell a story of battles won, using stylised images of animals and their spiritual guides.  To bring that into today's culture, you could have a Native American tattoo design, to depict your own personal battles and victories.

Aztec Tattoos

One of the more ancient cultures that we know practised tattooing is the Aztec's.  The designs are usually quite small and symmetrical, showing birds, animals, people or self contained patterns.  We do not know a huge amount about their symbolism, but it does not mean the simple designs can not make for a highly significant tattoo image.