How Tribal Back Tattoos Began

Not many people are aware of the origin of the word "tattoo". It is in fact Tahitian and it means "to mark". The word comes directly from the Tahitian word "tatua". It makes no difference what culture you are from or where in the world you are situated, getting tribal back tattoos is very popular. This ancient art form is carried out with the use of needles and different colored ink. However, tribal back tattoos are usually done in black.

Tribal back tattoos are very striking and take up large portions of skin. People from all walks of life are having their backs adorned with tribal tattoos. There are very few individuals who do not admire a beautifully executed tattoo over a small or a large expanse of skin. Both men and women are turning to tattoo to beautify their bodies. They are doing this to not only adorn themselves but also to make a personal statement. It has to be said that those who turn to tribal back tattoos really do love ink on skin. There are different kinds of tribal tattoos because there are so many different tribes in the world. However, the most popular ones in the west are Celtic and Polynesian tribal tattoos.
In the west, Celtic they are so popular because a great many people are actually of Celtic descent. Their tattoos look beautiful and have great cultural significance. Thousands of years ago Celtic craftsmen started carving out their intricate designs. It is true they did absorb outside influences as cultures touched and even intermingled throughout history. However, what is important is that a definite Celtic style emerged that is greatly admired and has endured for thousands of years.

The Polynesian style of tribal back tattoos appears as black silhouettes and looks more like waves than being intricate. It was due to sailors traveling around the world that the art of tattoo made its way to all four corners of the earth. The sailors were so captivated by tattoo designs they had them placed on their bodies. When they returned home they were walking forms of art.
Others saw their tribal back tattoos and spread the word. The first tattoo studio was set up in the US by a person who had seen how the Japanese went about their tribal or traditional tattoo. The Japanese indulged in intricate back tattoos. They also tattooed sacred text onto their bodies. The Japanese method of tattoo was taken back to the US where it was used until modern methods were developed. Then the tables were turned. The modern method of tattooing used in the US was seen by the Japanese. They took the US method back to Japan. Using the modern method when doing tribal back tattoos is a lot easier and quicker.

Tribal back tattoos from around the world are highly favored by men because of the strong design. These designs are considered as an important part of being macho in many tribal societies. However, in this day and age both men and women can more or less do as they please without any interference. Tribal back tattoos are admired by both genders.

Tattoo Designs - Kanji Symbols and What They Mean

Japanese Kanji symbols are very popular as tattoos as they are unique and they can convey a very personal and meaningful message in an artistic and exotic way.

Complex language

Kanji is one of three different types of alphabet character symbols used in a complex system of writing. The other two are Hiragana and Katakana. All three are used in different ways. Kanji conveys ideas in picture form, which may not always convey the exact meaning. Hiragana is sometimes used with the Kanji to modify or clarify the meaning.

Hiragana is used more for everyday use while Katakana is used mainly when dealing with foreign names.

The Japanese language contains literally thousands of characters. These were adopted from the Chinese, which have anywhere between 50,000 and 100,000 characters. Scholars disagree on the number but, as you can see, it is a lot. In everyday use in Japan there are around 2000 - 3000 characters.

Multiple meanings

One of the major pitfalls in choosing a Kanji tattoo is the actual meaning of the symbol. The meaning can depend on the context and can have up to ten different meanings. It is essential to do some research before having a permanent symbol on your body. Make sure you get an accurate translation or, better still, use an artist who understands Japanese. Some artists are reluctant to do Kanji because they are not sure of the meanings.

There can be good reasons for getting a Kanji tattoo - with one symbol you can express a thought or an idea or a philosophy and you can do it in an artistic and different way. However, Kanji is limited, as its symbol will express a simple picture or expression. It does not lend itself to more involved quotes or phrases. One of the other scripts may have to be used with Kanji to express your words. This is where an artist's knowledge of Japanese can become important.

Artistic expression

Japanese calligraphy is an art form. In fact, one artist believes the meaning of the symbol is unimportant as it is more about the look and flow of the script - more about the artistic expression. This would not suit everyone, as most people like to use a tattoo to convey a message to themselves or others. However, for those who do want to express themselves artistically, the opportunity is there.

Kanji tattoos can be attractive, artistic and meaningful, but they can be a trap for the unwary. Do your homework and make sure your tattoo means what you want it to mean.

Choosing a Tribal Design That is Right For You

Choosing a tribal tattoo can be a difficult task but this article will help you out if you are planning to get tattooed with a great new tribal tattoo. It's worth pointing out that although approximately one in four people have tattoos, many end up disappointed with them because they hurried when choosing their tattoo.

Tribal tattoos have been around for hundreds of years and have recently become extremely popular with non tribal people and you won't have to look far to find someone with an awesome design. In your local tattoo studio you'll likely find many tribal designs. It is important that when choosing a tattoo that you are totally happy with it because you may end up regretting it in years to come. Never feel rushed when you are choosing a tattoo because it is extremely likely that you will choose a tattoo that you are not totally happy with.

You might want to talk to your local tattoo artist about the design you would like and they may be able to create your dream tattoo. It could be that you like a rock star or actors tattoo and your tattoo artist should be able to recreate it from a photo. If you want more ideas then there are many tattoo design galleries online and this can be a great idea because you can view at your leisure without feeling pressured into choosing something just for the hell of it. With thousands of designs to choose from, it is probable that you will find a design that is right for you, and then all you need to do is print out the design and take it to your local tattooist. You could even make up your own design by combining some designs that you find.

Celtic Tattoos - 3 Designs and What They Mean

Celtic tattoos designs have been influenced by the long, complex history and culture of the people themselves. They are a spiritual people, with one foot in this world and one in the spiritual world. The modern designs have been influenced both by their earlier pagan religious practices, which were nature based, and their now long practiced Christianity.Most of their designs have reference to a deeper meaning. Their folklore is full of stories of the other world. Their art and symbols are heavily influenced by their pre-Christian pagan religions in which they worshipped nature. The sun, moon, stars and the earth were sacred to them, as were animals and the seasons. Later, after they were introduced to Christianity, their art included the cross, in various forms, but their earlier traditions were well established by then. This mixture is seen in their work today.

Celtic Cross Tattoos

This is the predominant symbol of Christianity but the Celts have given it their own unique design with the ringed cross. The cross, of course, represents the Christian belief itself while the circle can represent eternity or God's eternal love or the continuing act of salvation brought by Christ's death and resurrection.The symbol of the cross predates Christianity and can be found in ancient civilizations. Both the cross and the circle are found in a number of cultures. They have been found on rock carvings several thousand years old. The circle can represent the sun. Those not drawn to Christianity can find other spiritual meaning in the symbols.

Celtic Knot Tattoos

The Celts have made knot work their own but it has elements that evolved from earlier cultures and civilizations. The intricate criss-crossing and inter-weaving designs of their knot work is said to represent life itself. Life is a maze, complex, with each life interwoven with another's. The lines of the drawings are never-ending, representing the continuity of the natural cycle of death and rebirth. It can also represent the crossing over of the physical and spiritual world. It can represent eternity and the boundlessness of God's bounty and goodness. Animal forms are often intertwined, reflecting the people's earlier connection to nature and the animal world. The images of horses, dogs, birds and other animals can be found skillfully woven into the lines of artwork so that they become an integral part of the whole. Animal images were used in many cultures, often in the hope the wearer might take on some of that animal's skills or characteristics or simply link them spiritually to the animal.All these elements can be found in illuminated documents, such as the Book of Kells, which have heavily influenced modern Celtic tattoo designs.

Celtic Spiral Tattoos

The spiral has fascinated humans from earliest times. It appears on early rock carvings and in most cultures. It appears in nature in the horns of animals, in snail and seashells and in the galaxy. It has been studied by scientists and mathematicians and pondered on by philosophers. The spiral most associated with Celtic design is the triple spiral or triskele. The design is found around the world because the Celts made inroads into so many cultures. In earlier times it represented the sun but later came to be used in Christianity to explain the Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Some see it as representing our spiritual journey to God - an ever-unfolding mystery. Others see in it our journey through life. It is a tattoo symbol full of mystery and can remind us of our own spiritual and emotional journey.

How to Understand the Spirituality of Angel Tattoo Designs

Among the most popular tattoo designs are the angel tattoo designs. Whether the angel inscribed on the tattoo enthusiast's body is in whole or in part, there are many reasons why the angel tattoo design has achieved the esteemed status it now possesses. Among the most enduring motifs in the tattoo industry, the angel design has several important symbolic elements that make it an option that more and more tattoo enthusiasts are enjoying.

Traditionally, the angel tattoo design is used to symbolize various virtues, one of which is spirituality. In mythology, the angel is a creature often associated with the god. Because of this, it is one of the most fitting design motifs for people who are into spirituality. In the heart of the hustle and bustle of modern day living, one of the most important stress relievers that many frazzle nerved people are returning to is spirituality.

While not everyone can be religious, and while not everyone can stand by the many edicts and rules of religion, most people recognize the need to center their lives on the spirit simply in order to make it through to another day. The angel tattoo is one of the ways people use for this.

One of the characteristics of the modern world is the loss of the original human contacts. Because of this, a return to inner spirituality is called for, and the angel tattoo is seen as one of the perfect combinations of both modernity and spirituality, embodying a deeper understanding of both what the divine could be and what is lacking and must be compensated for in life in the twenty first century.

Another enduring characteristic of the angel tattoo design is the creative powers of the angel. Again returning to mythology, the angel is one of God's helpers when the time came to create the universe. Because of this, the angel is associated with creativity, and many people are turning to this characteristic of angels today.

For some, the creative symbolism behind the angel motif is an excellent marker for tattoo enthusiasts who want to commemorate their turning over of a new leaf, with the angel as a reminder of the new and the freshly created. For some artists, on the other hand, the angel is a symbol of the creative possibilities of their art or craft.

For others still, the angel tattoo design is the guardian that stands by people in their darkest hour. This is the reason that people who want to commemorate a newly met loved one or an important person that has passed away is through the angel tattoo, to symbolize the guardianship that the person has done or promises to do to the person.

How to Find Cultural Significance in Butterfly Tattoo Designs

If you ask a woman what tattoo she would like to get or what she already has, the answer you are most likely to get is butterflies. Many ladies like butterfly tattoo designs because they can personalize it to the way they want it to be and it is elegant and feminine. They can be of any size and just about anywhere on the body, so women tend to go for butterfly tattoo designs because they have such a variety to choose from and because they are so popular but in their own way.

These tattoo designs bespeak femininity. The butterfly is an insect, but in this case and theme people would classify it as a creature. This is a creature that can be whimsical, sexy and flirty. Well, this depends where on your body you would like to have the tattoo done and also how you would like the tattoo depicted.

Many people look at butterfly tattoos simply as a way of expressing themselves. It can also be some kind of embodiment of a certain cultural meaning. If you take the Greek for example, they believe that when a caterpillar sheds the cocoon and comes out as a butterfly, a human soul is released into the world.

Depending how you look at it, butterflies may symbolize birth, and a person having one on their body could be rediscovering herself and/or starting a new life. A perfect example is a new life with a new born baby, a new life being married, or a new life out of marriage.

In the Mexican and Japanese cultures butterflies and butterfly tattoos are a symbol of love, youth, grace and joy, and these are wonderful representations of life. Ancient people on the other hand viewed the butterfly insect as a symbol of a person's soul. Other cultures believed the butterfly being a spirit guide to a neverworld.

Despite the culture, these colorful insects are viewed as characteristic and magical of human imagination. This also applies to the butterfly tattoo designs of these creatures.

Choosing the right tattoo designs from the many butterfly tattoo designs can be a very tough task, because there are around 20,000 types in the world. Now all these are represented via ink, though, but there are quite a few butterfly designs floating around. The right tattoo will be there, and if you know what you are looking for then you don't have to look too hard. It is said that if there is enough importance behind the tattoo and it truly symbolizes something in your life, it will be looking out for you instead of you looking out for it.

Once you have been through all the butterfly tattoo designs and you have come across the perfect one, you have to decide if you want the tattoo seen or if you want it to be intimate. Your shoulder, ankle and lower back are perfect places if you want to show it off. If you want to keep it intimate, the best and perfect butterfly tattoo designs can be tattooed on the buttocks, along the bikini line or on the breasts.

Back Tribal Tattoos For Men - Finding the Best Designs For You!

Back tribal tattoos for men can be one of the sexiest tattoos a man can get. Whether you want an upper, lower, or full back tribal design you can be sure to find your perfect match. Before you jump in the car and head to the tattoo parlor know which tattoos you are interested in first. Browsing through pictures and catalogs of back tribal tattoos for men can help you get an idea of the back designs available for your back.

One of the more popular back tribal tattoos for men is the upper back tattoo. This style of tribal will usually stretch from one shoulder to the other and go down to the bottom of the shoulder blades. You can place any design you want her but the most common seen has swirls and interlocking tribal. Your tattoo shoulder be unique though so if you find a picture of a design you like, think of something you want to add or modify about it to make it your own. This tattoo is also great because it is easily covered for work or school purposes.

Back tribal tattoos for men can also come in the full back tattoo. This design is pretty self explanatory as it covered the entire back from the bottom of the neck to the small of your back. The design options here are simply endless as you have such a huge space to work with. This style is also good if you have a more upscale job because your back is easily covered by work shirts. This option will of course cost you much more money than that of an upper or lower back tattoo, and will sometimes take more than one visit to the parlor to complete.

One of the least common back tribal tattoos for men is the lower back tattoo. Typically this design is more fitted for females, but there are a select group of men who can get them and pull them off. This design is better known as a "tramp stamp" so men tend to veer away from this option.

However, if you are interested in this design be sure you get one that fits your style and personality. Try enlisting the help of your tattoo artist to draw up a lower back tattoo that works for you.

Egyptian Tattoos - Amazing

If you want to have some amazing body art then Egyptian tattoos would be a great way to go. Did you know that the Egyptians are responsible for introducing tattoos as a form of body art to South East Asia by 2000BC and there were many reasons to have a tattoo such as; religious purposes, medical, replacement of an amulet and a sign of status. I am going to go over some common styles that are present in Egyptian tattoos so it is easier to understand what would suit you best.

Egyptian Symbol Tattoos

There are many different symbols from ancient Egypt and they have very different meanings. There are some common ones that you see on tattoos and they are:

- The "Eye of Horus", which is the easiest to recognise. This symbol represents healing and protection but was also used as a measurement instrument because it has 6 different pieces.

- The Ankh is another very common Egyptian tattoo and symbol that can be seen on the chest, shoulders, wrists and ankles. It is the symbol of eternal life and there are many theories behind other meanings as well.

- The Winged Solar Disk can be seen across the shoulder blades very often. This represents the form Horus takes when he goes to battle.

There are many different symbols but these are the ones you will mostly see in tattoo form.

Egyptian God Tattoos

Again there where so many gods in ancient Egypt but only a few that pop up in tattoos. I will list them for you here:

- Anubis (head of a jackal) is the most popular god tattoo that you will find and he will usually be holding an ankh. He was the one who would weigh your heart to determine whether you were allowed to the netherworld.

- The next popular would be Horus who is a man with a hawks head. Horus was the king of Egypt and it was his magical eye that has become the most recognised symbol the Egyptian eye or the "Eye of Horus".

- Seth would be the final god that is popular as a tattoo. He represents the dessert, storm and violence. His nature was that of aggression against his enemies but loyalty to the sun god Ra.

Egyptian Hieroglyphics Tattoos

These round out the common Egyptian tattoos worn today and they do look very awesome. The Egyptians had pictorial and alphabet hieroglyphs that would be written in columns and rows. The hieroglyphics can be a combination of symbols and pictures but make sure that if you want to translate English to Hieroglyphs you use a reliable source. These tattoos generally can be seen on the ankles, wrists, spine and arms but you can put the tattoo wherever it looks good.

Body Art Tattoos

Body Art Tattoos are catching on like a new fad among younger people today. Celebrities, Rock Stars, and Sports heroes are sporting more visible Tattoos now than any other cultural icon save the Military. Changing your personal body image with Piercings and Tattoos has become so commonplace as to loose the social stigma that had once been placed upon such body art by society. No longer seen to be a negative image only found on sailors and natives of third world countries.

A quality Tattoo Finder can mean the difference between seeing boat loads of generic, cookie cutter designs and seeing fresh, high quality, unique Tattoo Designs. I have witnessed many people sift through cookie cutter designs so numerous as to be the only wallpaper in a studio. Poster displays hanging from every wall showing the same images found in every other studio with a few personal designs from the Tattooist mixed in to show variety. Changing your body image with a Body Art Tattoo should be a unique and personal experience to be thought out over the course of a few weeks to months. A Body Art Tattoo may well be with your body 5000 years from now and should reflect who you are and not just "I'll take that one".

Body Art Tattoos are much more than just a way to rebel against society, your family or whomever you you feel is oppressing you. Body Art Tattoos should be something that people meticulously plan for not simply rushed into.

Tattoo Designs - Symbols of Strength

While you can choose a tattoo design that literally means "strength", as in Kanji, the important thing is to have a design that gives you strength. You can choose from a number of designs as long as the one you choose has a special meaning and significance to you. It may remind you of someone close to you or someone who supported you in troubled times. Maybe someone who was there for you when you were young and from whom you gained strength.

Animal Tattoo Designs

A number of cultures used animal images to give them strength. The animals in their worlds they most admired would be a source of strength, endurance, and courage. By tattooing the animal images on their bodies they hoped to become more like them. Thus the image of a bear or lion or wolf would help the tattoo owners to become more courageous or stronger.
This might apply to you - the person who gives you strength could be represented by an image of a powerful animal, one renowned for its strength and courage.

Tribal Tattoo Designs

Tribal tattoos can evoke images in the mind of tribal battles for leadership, fighting for survival or dominance, hunting wild animals, braving the elements. They can take us back to primitive man when life itself was a gamble and only the strong survived. Whether the tattoos were done as part of a rite of passage, or to denote a position in the tribe or as an animal totem, they were all done crudely which inflicted pain. Just having the tattoo said the wearer was a person of courage because of the pain endured. Indeed, some tattoos were done simply to test a person's ability to endure pain - a test of courage.

Angel or Wing Tattoo Designs

People in the West are a familiar with Guardian Angels and as special messengers from God. Angels are also part of Jewish and Islamic faiths as well as a number of other religions and cultures going back to ancient times. They are usually represented as creatures with wings. An angel tattoo can remind us of strength as we are protected or inspired by these spiritual creatures. Wing tattoos can also act in the same way. Wings can give us a sense of protection, a sense of freedom - as in flight. How many oppressed people or prisoners or those who have lost freedom have dreamed of flying to freedom. Songs have been written about it.

Maybe there is someone in your life you see as your guardian angel, someone who inspires you, lifts you up. Perhaps it is an event - something you saw or did that makes your spirit take flight. A tattoo design of an angel or a set of wings could bring this to mind, to give you strength.

Cross Tattoos Designs

The cross is an enduring symbol of faith, hope and love. It can be used to remind you to have faith when things turn against you. It can be used to sustain you through tough times. It can be used to remember loved ones and to connect to them in spirit to give you strength.

There are other tattoo designs that can give you strength: the crown, a symbol of authority and leadership; the dragon, with its strength and magical powers; texts that are inspirational in themselves or favorite quotes of someone you love or admire. The tattoo design you choose to give you strength may be on public display but the feelings it evokes in you are uniquely yours. This is one tattoo that should be done just for you.