Image: Pinterest.com
Tattoos may seem like a fairly current fashion, but the reality is that it is an art that has been practiced for many centuries. Although we do not know the exact origin of the appearance of these body drawings, some designs such as tribal symbols can be considered one of the first styles that have been used within this body art.
Tribal tattoos have their origin in some ancient tribes such as the Maori, the Celts or the Polynesian tribes, among others. Unlike the aesthetic value that a body drawing currently has, in those populations this art was practiced for social, religious or ceremonial reasons. But what did these geometric shapes drawn on the body mean? Next, in the following oneHOWTO article we will explain what the meaning of tribal tattoos and what types of designs exist within this millennial style.
Meaning of Maori tribal tattoos
One of the most recognized styles is the maori tribal tattoo, which arose in the tribes of Eastern Polynesia located in New Zealand. Traditionally, the most used design was the “moko”, a Maori facial tattoo that was drawn all over the face (in the case of men) to indicate some information about the person who wore it, such as their social status, occupation and their achievements. The moko was also within the tribal tattoos for women and men since there was also a feminine version, where the design covered the chin area.
In addition to this design, there were other types of Maori tattoos that are also done today. Next, we will show you the most outstanding Maori tribes:
- Maui Design: This tattoo represents Maui, which legend has it that he was thrown by his mother into the sea thinking that he was born dead. However, Maui made it to shore at Aotearoa (Maori name for New Zealand) where he learned to be an excellent fisherman and boater. Due to this legend, getting a tattoo of Maui fishing represents all the achievements of a person in his life.
- Marquise cross: if you search tribal tattoos on arm and forearm, the Maori cross may be an excellent choice for you. The marquise cross has a very important meaning within this culture since it symbolizes harmony, peace and the balance between the essential elements of nature (that is, between earth, air, water and fire).
- Maori tortoise: It is a design suitable for both men and women. It is a very important symbol within this culture since being an animal that can move both on land and in water, the Maori used them to transport them to their eternal resting place once they have died. Besides this meaning, it also symbolizes peace, life and good luck.
Here you can learn more about the Meanings of Maori tattoos and see more designs apart from these below.
Image: Pinterest.com
Image: Pinterest.com
Image: Pinterest.com
Celtic tribal tattoos and their meaning
The ancient Celts were a civilization that spread to different places in Western Europe such as France, Ireland, England and Scotland, so the tribal tattoos that arose within these populations were related to their culture, language and customs. However, Celtic tribal tattoos can be distinguished from other styles such as Polynesian or Maori, due to the fact that they were generally highly intertwined and decorated geometric designs.
Next, we show you images of celtic tribal tattoo designs and the meaning from each of them:
- Triskel: It is a tattoo that was generally used by women and is characterized by a spiral of three arms that meet in the center of the drawing. Each arm of the triskel had a meaning: the first arm represented the limits and capacities of our senses; the second symbolized thought, conscience and reason; and the third spiral represented the path of the gods and the soul. This design was also often made with an outer circle, which was a symbol of the world and infinity.
- Triquetra: It is one of the oldest Celtic symbols and was made up of three pointed ovals joined together with a stroke. This Celtic tattoo represented the three dimensions of the universe. However, it was also a symbol that gave the power of the three forces and that marked the path between life and eternity.
- Celtic knot: It is one of the most popular tribal tattoos as it has different designs and meanings. However, the best known meaning of the Celtic knot is that it was a talisman that attracted good luck. In addition, it was also a symbol that represented infinity, birth and destiny.
- Celtic spiral: if you search tribal tattoo designs on shoulder, the Celtic spiral is one of the most popular options in these cases. In Celtic culture, this infinite spiral symbolized eternal life, life force, growth, day-to-day life, and reincarnation.
If you like Celtic tattoos, here you can learn much more about Celtic Symbols and their ancient meaning. These are some original celtic tribal tattoo designs.
Image: Pinterest.com
Image: Pinterest.com
Image: Pinterest.com
Polynesian tribal tattoos meanings
Polynesia is formed by the different tribes that inhabited (and continue to inhabit) the islands of the Pacific Ocean that are formed by the group of New Zealand, Samoa, Easter Island and Hawaii. Within the Polynesian culture, tribal tattoos were not made for decorative purposes but were a way to capture with a variety of geometric shapes, the different aspects of the person who marked the body such as their history, family, their spiritual beliefs and their social rank. In addition, due to the techniques used, the polynesian tattoos they were very painful, so doing them was a symbol of bravery tattooed on the warriors of the tribes.
Among the best known Polynesian tattoos we find on the one hand, the Etua that it was a spiritual and magical symbol that protected men with the power of the gods. And on the other hand, the Enata that it was a representation of nature and therefore, for its realization different animals or the shape of their teeth were used.
As a broader sample of the symbolism of his tattoos, we recommend this other post about Samoan tattoos and their meanings.
Image: Pinterest.com
Image: Pinterest.com
Image: Pinterest.com
Dayak tribal tattoos from Borneo Island
The Borneo Island tribes (located in Southeast Asia) also used tribal tattoos to represent different aspects of their culture. Among its different designs, the Borneo tattoos they generally represented scorpions, dogs, dragons, flowers and spirals drawn with striking tones and were protection symbols And from the testimony of the person’s pride in belonging to their tribe and their achievements within the community. These drawings also had a more spiritual meaning, since they could also be used to honor the spirits of their ancestors.
Finally, another of the best known meanings of the Dayak tribal tattoos from Borneo Island is that the warriors of the tribe tattooed a rose on their shoulders when they cut off the heads of their enemies, thus representing their courage in battle.
Image: Pinterest.com
Image: Pinterest.com
Haida tribal tattoos
The Haida tribe It was a population located in the northwest of America well known for its tribal tattoos in the shape of animals. Within these designs, the Haidas marked their body both with animals such as bears, fish and beavers and with some part of these such as the claws of bears or the feathers of different birds.
For this tribe, these types of designs did not have a decorative character, but were used because they believed that by marking the body with a certain animal, they took part of its strength and power.
Here you can see some haida tattoo design ideas.
Image: Pinterest.com
Image: Pinterest.com
Image: Pinterest.com
If you want to read more articles similar to Meaning of tribal tattoos, we recommend that you enter our Beauty and Personal Care category.