Modern ethnic tattoos as an art form arose under the influence of ancient body designs and primitive tribal ornaments. In earlier times, all these designs were applied to the surface of the body for specific purposes. They served as amulets, talismans and amulets.
The following images can be classified as ethnic tattoos:
- Scythian;
- Celtic;
- Indian;
- Japanese;
- Indian (Mayan, Haida);
- Polynesian, etc.
Each variety is marked by certain traits. However, modern masters mix styles and trends, creating their own unique designs based on ancient motifs.
Thus, the tribal drawings of the island of Borneo are characterized by impressive sizes and the presence of wide black lines that imitate images of plants and animals. The tribes of the Marquesas Islands prefer composite images of clear and regular geometric shapes. Celtic patterns are characterized by finer lines, depicting, in addition to plants and animals, crosses and shields. Haida tattoos mainly contain astrological symbols and the natural world. They are dominated by black and red tones.
The founders of tattoo art
By ethnic we usually mean tattoos of many peoples of the world. However, most often this term is associated with body designs of just a few exotic Polynesian tribes.
Connoisseurs of ethnic identity are increasingly resorting to the use of motifs from the New Zealand Maori tribe. Initially, people from the Maori tribe applied tattoos for sacred purposes. They used predominantly black and gray paints, and used seashells, shark teeth, fish bones or albatross bones as tools to carve images into the skin. All images were unique and depicted the life of a specific person.
Both men and women decorated themselves with similar patterns. Men covered their legs, buttocks and face with tattoos, women – their back, neck, lips and chin. The composition was one clear line, branched into a large number of curls and spirals.
Similar images are also found among the peoples of the North. The technique of execution among the northern tribes is much simpler and not so painful. The performer threaded a thread smeared with soot under the skin and tugged it, thereby obtaining the necessary lines.
Usually, hands (and predominantly the female part of the tribe) were decorated in this way. The meaning of tattoos was carefully hidden; even the closest people were not privy to this secret. There is information that some tattoos were applied immediately before a person’s death and meant a connection with ancestors and carried religious overtones.
Main elements
Polynesian tattoos are similar to wood carvings. With very clear lines and contours, the interweaving patterns are unusually ornate. The composition consists of several main lines:
- spiral;
- wave;
- broken and smooth figures.
Symmetry is a characteristic feature of ethnic tattoos. She embodies the true beauty of nature and the surrounding world. Polynesians call their tattoos "moko".
People with Maori tattoos usually occupy a high position in society. The more tattoos on the body, the higher the status. A person without a tattoo is considered a slave in the tribe. However, the drawing must be earned. Only priests who are fluent in the ta-moko technique have the right to apply it.
Each ethnic symbol occupies a specific place on the body and has its own special sacred meaning:
- backbones - symmetrical smooth lines from the chin to the nose;
- puho-ro – images decorating the upper part of the forehead;
- pae-pae – large spirals on the cheeks;
- pu-kauvae – small patterns of spirals in the chin area;
- rerepi – spiral lines on the nose;
- titi – patterns on the lower part of the forehead;
- Tivkhana is a complex of patterns located in the area from the nose to the eyebrows and descending to the ears.
Meaning of tattoo
The inhabitants of Polynesia attached special meaning to each symbol depicted on the body. They reflected the biography, strengths, abilities, character traits and social status of a particular person. At the same time, the patterns served as a talisman that protected against life's adversities, or a talisman that helped to achieve success in achieving their goals.
The main subjects of ethnic tattoos of this people:
- fire - symbolizes instability;
- water - speaks of the impermanence and cyclical nature of life;
- the sun is a symbol of the eternity of life;
- moon - personifies abundance and femininity;
- lotus - helps to overcome life's troubles and difficulties;
- cross - indicates the need for harmony and balance;
- the Koru spiral is a sign of hope for the best and new achievements;
- stone - promises stability and power;
- fern - represents calm, peace and success;
- eyes - indicate that the ancestors are vigilantly watching over the person;
- butterfly - reflects the transformation of the soul;
- one eye - helps to win the battle.
Modern Art
Professional tattoo artists offer many unique designs in ethnic style. In the salons there are stacks of photographs with ethnic tattoos and sketches for them. However, when choosing a particular drawing, it is necessary to take into account that it should reflect the character, features, individuality of the individual and tell the story of your life. After all, the art of a particular people has developed over many centuries. This is not a simple set of symbols and signs.
Ethnic tattoos are a trend that gained popularity not so long ago. Ethnic tattoos have their origins from ancient times. They were characteristic of the Byzantine peoples, Scythian tribes, Celts and other cultures. A tattoo in the ethnic style can cover almost the entire human body; the intricate patterns are voluminous and varied. In ancient times, people applied various ornaments and marks that showed a person's status, his achievements in life, or simply to decorate the body. Also, ethnic tattoos were a kind of amulets and amulets.
Tattoo artists combine ethnic tattoo designs with modern art. Ethnic tattoos are very noticeable and difficult to confuse with another trend. The drawing is made up of smooth lines and dots that blend perfectly with the strokes.
Types of ethnic tattoos
Over the years, several areas of ethnic tattooing have emerged. There is a conditional qualification:
- Scythian tattoos;
- Celtic;
This is not a complete list. Every year new trends and styles are popularized. Let's take a closer look at the most famous ones.
Scythian style in tattooing
Tattoos of this direction are particularly original, bright and expressive. Although the vast majority of tattoos were invented by modern masters, they are based on genuine elements of the culture of the Scythian peoples. An example is the body of a warrior-leader found during excavations in the Altai Mountains. Numerous original drawings were applied to it. It turned out that they were made by impaling. The execution of all elements was done in animal style, and on the chest there was a place for the image of a griffin lion, personifying greatness and enormous strength. You can see this in the photo on the Internet.
In modern Scythian style, on a tattoo in the ethnic style, the main design is made from the front. The images contain images of animals or mythical creatures. The design of the back of the body should complement the front, but the designs are not particularly complex.
Indian style
Indian ethnic tattoos are particularly mysterious and enigmatic. They are colorfully designed and have a deep meaning. The most famous is the dream catcher. This tattoo helps protect against negative energy and get rid of nightmares.
Animals depicted on the human body have their own meanings. The bear symbolizes courage and strength, and also denotes the owner’s victory in an unequal battle. The bull indicates that the owner of this ornament is a desperate and risky person. The wolf conveys qualities such as intuition and perseverance. Portraits of Indian women are popular among girls, symbolizing not only glory and courage, but also beauty and grace.
Celtic style
Perhaps the most popular trend in ethnic tattooing. It has constantly been influenced by other cultures, so it is not individual and homogeneous. The images are characterized by the presence of leaves and other components of various plants. Later the drawing began to be supplemented with animals. All together it looks quite original and harmonious.
Polynesian style
It gained popularity quite recently - only at the beginning of the 21st century. The origins of modern ethnic tattoos in this direction come from tribal ornaments that were used to decorate the bodies of tribal priests. The owner of such ornaments received universal honor and respect. To apply body designs, special plant thorns or fish bones were used. The variety and sophistication of the images showed the noble origin of the person.
Typically, elements such as spirals on the chin and two large spirals on the cheek were applied. There were also curved lines, in the form of rays, diverging from the nose, passing over the eyebrows and descending to the ears.
Japanese style
Sketches of this direction are borrowed from Chinese culture. They are conventionally divided into two categories: irezumi and gaman. The first type is characteristic of convicts who were forced to apply subcutaneous drawings. The second was a demonstration of such a quality in men as patience.
Particular respect was given in Japanese culture. They were performed by rubbing rice powder into cuts in the skin. They appeared only when excited or after water procedures. The images featured dragons and samurai, and the motifs were old fairy tales and legends about the sea.
Previously, tattoos in Japan were reserved for privileged people, and the design was passed down from generation to generation. In modern times, Japanese residents are not very fond of this type of body art, because criminals often decorate their bodies with tattoos.
For each nation, a certain image has its own meaning. But currently, the meaning of ethnic tattoos is not given much attention. These images do not have age or gender distinctions. Anyone can look at the photo with sketches and choose a tattoo for themselves, the motif of which will be combined with ancient symbolism and a modern component.
Video: Tattoo in ethnic style - sketches and directions
Tattoos in the ethnic style are unlikely to ever cease to be popular, because the ancient traditions of ancestors, passed down to descendants through millennia, simply cannot lose their relevance.
Features of ethnic tattoos
Basically, ornamental designs characteristic of the fine arts of a particular culture are chosen for tattooing. Such works look the most authentic, since people decorated their bodies with similar tattoos back in ancient times. Often it is enough just to look at the drawing, and it becomes clear what part of the world it comes from. If the composition contains images of deities or symbols associated with religious cults, those who are at least a little familiar with the peculiarities of the art of different nations will understand where the author of the sketch of this tattoo in the ethnic style drew inspiration from. Such drawings always have certain features that are not typical for any other cultures.
When creating a sketch of a tattoo in an ethnic style, you can rely on the traditions of any nation. For example, people who are passionate about studying the history, culture and mythology of the Mayans or Aztecs choose images that clearly show the features characteristic of the fine arts of these particular tribes. Adherents of the northern tradition opt for runes, Thor’s hammer, stylized shields and axes, longships, mythical characters, for example, the serpent Jormungand, encircling the Earth, Odin’s ravens, and Valkyries. Today we will talk about the most popular ornamental ethnic tattoos, the images that can most often be found in such works.
Polynesia
Now we perceive Polynesian-style tattoos simply as body decoration, but the islanders to this day endow these bizarre patterns, spirals and geometric shapes with a special sacred meaning, and the process of applying the design remains a sacrament, all the nuances of which are known only to the priests. Traditionally, tattooing was considered more of a male prerogative; designs on the male body were often quite large-scale, replete with various details and images. Today, this style is also popular mainly among guys.
Initially, such tattoos served as amulets that brought happiness and good luck to the life of their owner, amulets for warriors who protected in battle. Drawings on the body could tell about the most important milestones in a person’s life, for example, military merits, increased social status, and revealed certain traits of his character.
Polynesian ethnic patterns are not limited to abstract images; stylized animals, celestial bodies, and attributes of hunters and warriors are often found in tattoos. Each such drawing has its own meaning, symbolism, which was endowed with it by the ancient islanders. Let's look at the most common images and their meaning:
- . Symbolizes vitality, rebirth, the cyclical nature of life and death, the relationship between the visible and invisible world.
- . Such an image is a reminder that a person is being watched by his ancestors from the other world. The owner of the tattoo is under their protection and must live according to his conscience, because the gaze of the dead is directed at him. We can also talk about the divine eye, vigilantly watching over a person and protecting him from harm.
- . The turtle shell is a symbol of protection on both the physical and mental levels. Most often, this image is applied to the chest or shoulder.
- Tiki. A tiki mask is also considered a talisman against misfortune and the intrigues of enemies.
- . The image of a sea predator indicates a person endowed with power, strength and courage.
- . In the Polynesian tradition, lizards symbolize the gift of clairvoyance and supernatural abilities.
India
In India, decorating the body with drawings is a centuries-old tradition. Painting girls' hands with henna (mehndi) was an obligatory part of the ceremony preceding the wedding. Usually these were floral ornaments, talismans promising a happy family life, fertility, and healthy offspring. The hands of the temple dancers were also decorated with intricate patterns of a ritual nature. Clay painting was also common, the most striking example of which is the bindi, a red dot on the forehead, third eye symbol.
Modern tattoos with Indian motifs have retained the main distinctive features of the traditional ornament, but nowadays, in addition to patterns, you can create many bright compositions, sometimes even telling a whole story.
It has recently become quite popular Ethnic tattoo style. This style is distinguished by its volume and variety of patterns. In ancient times, our ancestors quite often applied all sorts of patterns and marks to their bodies, indicating a person’s status, his achievements, or simply as decoration for the body. Using preserved ancient drawings, tattoo artists very skillfully combine ethnic style with modern ones.
Ethnic tattoos immediately catch the eye and are difficult to confuse with something else - this style consists of smooth lines and dots, which are very beautifully combined with sharp strokes.
Types of ethnic tattoos
Depending on which nationality the drawings were borrowed from, one can distinguish different styles: Celtic, Indian, Maori, Polynesian, Mayan and many others. Probably the most striking and memorable is the Scythian style of tattoos. Although most of the designs in the ethnic tattoo style were invented by modern artists, they draw them from genuine elements. An example is the embalmed remains of a Scythian warrior-leader found during excavations in the Altai Mountains, whose body was covered with many beautiful drawings. After a thorough study of the body, archaeologists found out that the drawings were applied precisely by the pricking method. All the drawings were executed in the well-known animal style, and on the chest there was a huge and superbly executed griffin lion, symbolizing the majesty and great strength of the ancient leader.
So in the modern interpretation the main pattern is applied on the front of the body, depicting various animals and mythical creatures. The rear is significantly less complex, but overall complements the front perfectly.
But, nevertheless, the most popular ethnic tattoos remain Celtic ornaments. But this style is already quite difficult to distinguish, since this style has always been influenced by various cultures. Celtic designs are distinguished by their elements of different plants and leaves, but later they began to add animals, which together look very harmonious.
It is also worth noting the Indian direction of ethnic tattoo style. Here you can see images of dots, brush strokes, Hindu deities, elephants and cows.
And recently the style of the Papuans from New Guinea has become popular. The characteristic of this direction of ethnic style is simple figures that together make up the entire pattern.
The art of body painting came to us from distant countries and islands. Ethnic tattoos are an interweaving of intricate patterns or images of sacred animals. Often such tattoos cover a person’s entire body if he has special services to his tribe or clan. This is a kind of ancient passport, telling about a person’s life, his tribe’s family, and what position he occupied in society. Ethnic tattoos are still popular today due to their beauty and vital meaning.
What ethnic tattoos exist?
Polynesian tattoos
The art of tattooing has touched many countries. The bodies were depicted with intricate interweaving of lines, animals, gods, and sacred symbols. Ethnic tattoos are classified depending on the country of origin.
Polynesian tattoos are a beautiful interweaving of lines, as if carved on wood. They represent a rather rough and clear ornament. The main elements are:
- lines in the form of waves, spirals, geometric curved lines;
- ornaments depicting turtles, sharks, birds, ferns, the sun, the moon, and the flora of the country.
All parts must be symmetrically located throughout the body. The meaning of these tattoos is a person’s aspiration, his beliefs and personal qualities. Ornaments were often depicted as a talisman.
Japanese tattoos
Japanese tattoos are still at the height of fashion today. The body designs of this ancient culture are very bright, they depict hieroglyphs, mythological animals and fish, samurai, geisha, as well as entire scenes. At first, criminals were branded with tattoos, who then united into groups. Japanese tattoos are still associated with the yakuza. These body designs have their own classification:
- Ierzumi is a tattoo of the Japanese underworld;
- Gaman was made by men who wanted to demonstrate their courage, honor and strength;
- Kakushi-boro was depicted on the inner thigh and carried a message noticeable only to close people.
Slavic tattoos
Slavic ethnic tattoos are, first of all, an image of the Kolovrat - a symbol of infinity and rebirth. Images of animals and birds, such as wolves and falcons, were also revered. The thunder wheel, the caroler, the star of Rus', and the Ladinian were considered Slavic tattoo amulets. The ancient Slavs painted images of runes on their bodies, symbolizing masculinity, fertility, renewal, and peace.
Indian tattoos
Indian tattoos carry the wisdom of the inhabitants of this country. The drawings are complex and tell the story of a person’s life journey. For the most part, these are tattoo amulets, meaning that a person is not afraid of evil spirits. Indians tattooed images of sacred plants and animals, symbols and gods on their bodies.
Celtic tattoos
Celtic tattoos were often depicted on the body of warriors as a talisman. The most popular designs were considered to be: a cross, a bracelet and a knot. The image of animals could save a person’s life and bring good luck, according to the ancient Celts. Celtic tattoos are still popular today.
