The Art of Tribal Tattoos

     Tribal tattoos were first discovered after one unlucky primitives accidentally falls into a fire, while playing around it with a few rowdy primitives. Not only that, he was also poked with a charred stick. After healing from the incident, they soon realized that they were on to something. The news probably spread as fast as the fire that prompted the invention. It was rumored that the first tattoos were of the sun or flames in honor of the sun god(s). Since that day, the tribes around the world had been using tattoos for distinctive purpose. Not only to get them to the proper spirit world, but also offered them special qualifications for advantageous occupations upon their arrival.

Identify Clans, Tribes and Families

Originally (and hence the name) tribal tattoos were employed to identify and group tribes, clans and families together. Not only did this enable you to easily identify one another, or recognize distant relatives, but it was generally believed that your tattoos would allow you to find your tribe and join it again in the afterlife. Today, fraternal orders, gangs, members of the military and other organizations also have designed tattoos that are recognizable to their fellow brothers and sisters.

Rites of Passage

Ancient adolescents approaching maturity would often come under the prick of the tribal tattoo point before being socially accepted as an adult. A woman who couldn't bear the pain of a tattoo would be unfit for the impending pain of childbirth - making her unacceptable for marriage. A young man who couldn't take it would be seen as unfit for battle or hunting, often dooming him to the role of outcast. Today, many teenagers eagerly await (or don't wait) their eighteenth birthday and celebrate their entrance to adulthood by getting a tattoo.

Marriage Tattoos

In addition to a tribal tattoo, ancient men and women may also wear a marriage tattoo. Not only would this serve the same function as the modern day wedding ring (as a witness to your commitment to another), but again, would allow you to find your spouse in the afterlife. This was understandably important when husbands and wives would "cross the veil" several years apart from one another. In modern times, this form of tribal tattoo is still prevalent, and you will often see spouses and life-mates with matching tattooed armbands, "rings", initials, and hearts as a permanent witness to their love and fidelity.

Magical Reasons

Probably the most documented and understood of the magically charged tribal tattoos was for the purpose of love spells and charms. These tattoo magicians would mix special herbs and potent concoctions to their dyes and would apply the tattoo to a small, generally hidden area to activate the magic. Generally, these tattoos were kept hidden because it would be foolish for an old married woman to go around wearing the marks of a foolish youth. Today, who doesn't know someone who knows someone with an ex's name tattooed somewhere, whether they've covered it or removed now or not?

   The rich, spiritual folklore still survives today. Tribal tattoos are being given in droves, to people as different from one another as night is from day. You can find a tribal style fairy, Hawaiian themed designs, African inspired prints, and Celtic crosses (both pagan and Christian), and even Maori facial tribal art. But it appears that the ancient superstition still prevails. When faced with doubts or indecision regarding tattoos, the modern tattoo artist and administrator will tell you...

"When you should get a tattoo, the tattoo god will tell you that it is time."