Tribal Tattoo Designs
Tribal Tattoo Designs, Then and Now
Various peoples around the world have used tribal tattoo designs since long before history was something that humans wrote on paper. Characterized by long, solid, mostly-symmetrical designs which have the appearances of flames, spears, or thorns, tribal tattoo designs have their origins in the rough caste system of ancient tribes. Warriors, wise men, healers, scouts, and elders all had their unique tattoos that identified not just their station, but the amount of respect they commanded from their peers.
Today, the tribal tattoo is more likely to grace the biceps and shoulders of a bouncer, rap artist, or high-school rebel than a noble savage. The loss of the original meaning of these designs has led them to become entirely aesthetic in nature. (There are some places in Wes Africa and South America where tribal tattoos are still used in their native context, but they are dwindling daily.)
The most renowned examples of modern tribal tattoo design are prison tattoos and gang insignia, most often associated with the Japanese organized crime syndicate called the Yakuza. These modern 'tribal' inks look almost nothing like their primal counterparts -- you'll see little in the way of symmetry, spikes, or solid colors there -- but the effect is the same. Someone who knows the 'language' can tell at a glance how a gang member or prisoner got to where they are, and how much respect they deserve.
As an aesthetic adornment, tribal tattoos in the ancient style have been brought into the modern consciousness by icons such as Mike Tyson, the pinnacle of male dominance for an entire generation of fans; David Beckham, who uses his tribal body art to express his love for his family; and Fifty Cent, whose tribal tats across the whole of his back amplify his already-invulnerable image. But these elegant images aren't just for men. Women from Angelina Jolie and Pamela Anderson to Anna Kournikova and Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts all sport tribal tattoos. Many women's tribal tattoo designs are done in greens or blues and feature more feminine touches such as initials or butterflies woven into or perching atop the designs, whereas males' tats tend toward the basic: solid black, symmetrical spikes.
Today, nearly a third of all tattoo design searches done online are for tribal designs. Given the graceful power associated with these abstract pieces, it's not surprising -- and many experts believe that the popularity of tribal tattoo designs is only going to increase.
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