Tribal Tattoos Make the Transition From Ancient to Modern Times

Tattoos have been a part of human cultures for over 5000 years. Tribes around the globe used tattoos as a ritual to move from adolescents to adult hood, to identify rank in the tribe and to commemorate battles won. Tribal tattoos generally consist of repeating patterns in various shapes and sizes.

In modern times tribal tattoo designs have been co-opted by the tattooed youth. Tribal tattoos became immensely popular during the 1990's but saw a lash back in the 2000's. Rather than a sign of individuality, the tribal tattoo became a symbol of pop culture conformity.

The tattoo industry has seen a major movement away from conventional tribal tattoos, but not all tribal tattoos have to be conventional. Researching tribal tattoos online you can find images of tribal tattoos dating back thousands of years. Variances can be observed in the tattoo design that reflect the culture of the tribal region.

South Pacific tribal tattoos of the Maori of New Zealand communicate status. The designs have thick lines in curving hook like shapes that mimic the native art and mythology of the Maori culture.

Celtic tribal tattoos are completely different with patterns tending to be more spherical and intricate in line design. These tattoos also tell the story of Celtic history with tribal tattoos representing myth and religion.

In medieval and renaissance times tribal tattoos were less common as a social status but the idea of body art design was not completely dormant. The designs made on ancient armor are one way to get a look into the tribal tattoo designs of certain cultures. Armory from mid evil Scotland shows repeating patterns in a checkerboard fashion and stripes. French armor was decorated with repeating Fleur De Li's. Each of these cultures is reflected in their design.

Choosing your own tribal tattoo should be personal. Look to your heritage or culture that you identify with most. What are the shared mores and customs? How can you communicate that simply in a tribal design? Tribal designs do not have to all look the same, the options are endless and individuality more easy to protect than popular culture thinks.

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