Tribal Tattoo Designs

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Tribal tattoo designs have enjoyed a recent emerge and renaissance of popularity in recent years, however, they are ancient and powerful, important symbols in many cultures.  Even after being suppressed and outlawed for a couple of centuries, this traditional art is being revived by native people of every tribe. Early cave paintings root the origin of tribal art and proof that tattooing took  place has been obtained through discoveries of frozen mummified remains displaying body tattoos.  Tribal tattoo designs are believed to have started appearing over 30,000 years ago.

Aztec tribal tattoo designs offer striking patterns.  The Aztec tribe lived from the 13th century until the 16th century in what we know now as Mexico.  Religion and gods were important to their culture and everyone was tattooed, even the children.  Tattoos could differentiate different tribes and were almost always acquired during rituals to honor a god.  Aztec designs almost always include a sun, Quetzalcoatl, Tezcatlipoca, an Aztec calender, eagle cross or Mexican skulls.

Hawaiian culture includes Samoan and Maori communities that are rich in tattoo tradition.  The Kakau practice allowed for personal identification, tailsman, adornment or a mourning symbol for a loved one.  Traditionally they were black, made of sugarcane juice and kukui nuts, applied by claws and bird beaks connected to a branch.  Common Hawaiian tribal tattoo designs include lizards, sea turtles, dolphins, arrows and tropical flowers.  On men they are typically located on arms, face torso and legs and females display these tattoos on the wrist, tongue and hands.

The history of the Celts dates back to the 2nd century, living in tribes and roaming Western territories of Europe.  The Celtic cross, designed by Saint Patrick is the most popular design.  Celtic butterflies symbolize rebirth while Celtic knots represent eternity.  The Celtic trinity knot has three corners that symbolizes Christian, Pagan and New Age.  Another popular design is the Celtic shamrock that is the symbol of the Holy Trinity for the Irish Catholic church, not to be confused with the beloved four-leafed clover with each clover representing hope, faith, love and luck.  The Celtic heart tattoo represents a union of souls and a Claddagh ring stands for love, friendship and loyalty.  Other traditional Celtic tribal tattoo designs include dogs, eagles, horses, ravens, bears, dragons and lions.

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Chinese symbols are extremely popular tribal art tattoos.  Always be sure that you get the translation for your tattoo from a source that you trust.  There are around 47,000 Hanzi characters, however, only about 4,000 are used in tattoos.  Simplified Chinese is also commonly used which uses less strokes than traditional Chinese symbols.

The most popular symbols used for Chinese tribal tattoo designs are love, faith, hope, strength, peace, sister, family, zen, courage, water, dragon, happiness, angel and friendship.  The Chinese tiger is also commonly used in tribal art as it is the third animal in the Chinese zodiac representing courage, self-reliance, friendship, hopefulness and vanity.  Yin Yang and phoenix tattoos are popular as well.

There are a few important symbols that find themselves commonly used in tribal tattoo designs.

Tribal Dragon – This mythological creature holds a different meaning for everyone.  In Asia they are benevolent, Japan dragons denote sun, air, rain and fertility and the Western dragon is evil and symbolizes power.

Tribal Phoenix – This long-lived mythological bird arises reborn from his own ashes and acts as a symbol of transformation and rebirth.

Tribal Bear – Either a bear or only a paw is used as reminiscent of Native American tattoos representing a protective animal spirit.

Tribal Cross – A representative symbol appearing around the world.  It expresses religion or spirituality.
Tribal Sun – People have forever worshiped the glowing sphere so it symbolizes fertility and life.
Tribal Tiger – Appearing in Asian tribal tattoo designs, it is a symbol for beauty, power and cruelty.

Pamela Anderson – Actress/model/blonde bombshell shows off her tribal on her lower back.Corey Taylor – Singer for Slipknot has several tribal tattoo designs on his body.Mike Tyson – A large tribal is worn on this boxer’s face.Boy George – Culture Club group member portrays a tribal on his neck with a “G” in it.Mel B – Spice Girls group member shows off several tribal designs on her body.Sandra Bullock – This well known actress shows off a tribal heart below her navel.Anthony Kiedis – Red Hot Chile Peppers’ singer displays several tribal tattoos on his body.Manny Ramirez – This baseball player has a tribal found on his left shoulder.

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