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History of Tribal Tattoo Designs

Thursday, October 11th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed

History of Tribal Tattoo Designs

The history of tribal tattoo designs can be tracked back as far as the Ice Age, and today in western culture there has been a distinct rejuvenation in this style of tattoo. Generally people without a particular religious following are more inclined to choose a tribal tattoo design.

What are the types of Tribal Tattoo Designs
Because the history of tribal tattoo designs has evolved over thousands of years there are essentially thousands of styles to choose from. Listed below are just a few of the cultures, cults and religions that the history of tribal tattoo designs can be derived from:

* Egyptian
* Native Indian
* Aztec
* Hawaiian
* Maori
* African
* North American Indian
* Japanese
* Chinese
* Buddhist
* New Zealand
* Alchemy
* Pagan
* Tahitian
* Polynesian
* Melanesian
* Wiccan
* Indian
* Hindu
* Viking
* Eskimo
* Inuit
* Mythological

With the current media focus on the need to look after our planet, it is no wonder that so many people are choosing the designs based on the traditional art of the Vikings, Celts and Native Americans as these people had a reputation for respecting nature and looking after mother earth. Recently David Letterman asked a staff member to get a tattoo for a comedy skit - she chose a tribal Aztec sun, even though she herself was not Aztec or a follower of any particular religion.

History of tribal tattoo designs - fashion is repeating itself
The ancient Celts were very serious about their tattoos. The designs on their flesh (usually blue, from the ink of the woad plant) were a reflection of the designs that dominated nearly every aspect of their lives – on their cooking utensils, weapons, sacred objects and even personal grooming equipment. The ancient Celts believed that their tribal tattoo designs contained powerful magic. By having a tattoo of a sacred symbol was equivalent to empowering yourself with the magic of the symbol. Tattoos were not only on limbs, but placed all over the body, especially the head.

If you study the history of tribal tattoo designs you will find that for the person bearing the tribal tattoo, the inherent magic isn’t in the actual tattoo, but in the personal association attached to the tattoo. The tribal tattoo design serves as focus point for certain thoughts. For example a person who has a tribal tattoo design of Celtic knots around the upper arm is reminded when they look at the design that their arm is blessed and will do good work. The tattoo serves as a positive thought reinforcement and will assist the tattoo wearer to achieve everything that is necessary in that day.

What is the advantage of a tribal design tattoo?
A tribal design tattoo can service as an symbol of your inner beliefs and values, whether it is religious, cultural, magical or spiritual. The history of tribal tattoo designs goes back in time to our ancestors, so we all are in some way linked with one of the tribal designs. There are many reasons why people choose to get a tattoo, and they vary from one person to the next. if you choose a tribal design tattoo then it should be one that represents something of importance to you - remember the power is in the emotion which is attached to the symbol, not just in the tattoo.