Tribal Tattoos

Tribal tattoos date back almost to the origin of man himself. It has been surmised that in the beginning different tribes would tattoo themselves in their "colors" much the way modern street gangs where their colors today. 

This would distinguish them from those of other "tribes" making them easily recognized by their other tribesmen.

There were three major factors that took the practice of tribal tattooing from the realm of art and into the plane of the spiritual: Pain, Permanence and Loss of the Life Source (blood). This mystical trio elevated the tattoo from mere art and transformed it into a chance to draw people into a relationship with God, a god, magic powers, or a trance or vision state.

Because body and soul were generally thought to be identical to one another, your tattoos then existed on two planes: the physical and spiritual realms. Many of the tribes from Borneo believed that tattoos would not only be enough to get them to the proper spirit world, but that their tattoos also offered them special qualifications for advantageous occupations upon their arrival.

It has been found that most (if not all) primitive tribes used some form of body marking, be they tattoos, scarification's or the use of plain, temporary body paints. This art prevailed worldwide until the arrival of civilization as we know it, when the tattoo fell into a temporary loss of popularity.

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You can download this eBook, with over 200 tribal tattoos, now by clicking the link above. It is in PDF format so is easily read on either PC's OR Mac's AND you can print the pages to take to your Tattoo artist!

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