Tribal Tattoos Have a History of Their Own

Tattoos were initially a form of decoration for enhancement or ritual, or to convey a story or history; quite similar to their current form and use of today.

However, tribal tattoos in particular have a unique cultural history, and span the globe in terms of variations on design and tribal symbolism.

The oldest of these ancient forms of art were discovered on a Bronze Age man who had been frozen solid and perfectly preserved in a block of ice. His body was adorned with nearly 60 highly detailed and formed tattoos of creatures from myth and legend.

Tribal tattoos have been used in the past as a way to identify tribal communities, land usage, religious beliefs, decoration, and as a tool for the conveyance of tribe history through generations.

Unlike the technology enjoyed by today's tattoo artists, ancient tattooing was done using little more than a needle, a stick, and something for ink. The process was slow, and the artist needed to be skilled in the play of the muscles and contours of the body to give the proper effect to the black and skin contrasting tattoo design.

Some of the most common and widely known tribal designs come from the ancient Celtic tribes, Haida Indian tribes, Maori tribes, Marquesan tribes, and the Tribes of Borneo. Celtic inspired tribal tattoos portray stylized birds, spirals, dogs, humans and knotwork connecting designs. Among the Indian tribes, the tattoos are representative of the animals they often hunt, such as beavers, fish, bears and others.

Both the Maori and Borneo tribal tattoos cover various parts of the body almost entirely, including the face, arms and legs. The Maori use their tattoo designs to convey their strength, as well as providing a way to identify family members and loved ones even in death. The tattoos were deeply personal to the wearer, and no tattoo was ever duplicated. Similarly, the tribes of Borneo use their tattoos to convey stories of their tribes, as well as their beliefs, values and morals to future generations. Each member's tattoo is unique to their own life story and is portrayed through an animal that is special for them alone.

Finally the Polynesian Island Tribal tattoos were created as a form of communication among tribe members. The tattoos would depict an individuals place within the tribe, as well as their personality. This would enable tribe members to recognize and identify a person's tribal place and characteristics simply by the observation of their tattoos.

Tribal tattoos come in all shapes and sizes, and are still one of the most unique ways to obtain a custom tattoo experience.

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Inflicting Ink is a Rhode Island Tattoo Studio that embodies quality, consistency and pride, and offers a sterile, safe, comfortable, artistic environment to its customers.  Nominated multiple times for the Best Tattoo Parlor in Rhode Island and Best Tattoo Artist in RI.

You may contact them for an appointment for a tattoo at (401) 683-5680 and of course walk-ins are always welcome.

For more information, please visit our home page at www.inflictinginktattoo.com.