Maori Tribal Tattoos Meanings

Tribal tattoos are today some of the most widespread and loved by women and men all around the world. It is probably not wrong to consider the tribal style the original tattoo style. These tattoos take their name from the function they have had for thousands of years in tribes in different part of the world. Tattoos today are usually considered cool designs to show off, but it has not always been that way.

Tattoos are almost as old as mankind itself. Origins of tribal tattoos go back in history for thousands of years. The oldest tattooed body ever, the famous Otzi mummy, belonged to a man died more than 5000 years ago, who apparently had something like 57 tattoos. This mummy has reached such a symbolic importance among tattoo lovers that a Hollywood star like Brad Pitt has got its outline tattooed on his arm.

Other ancient traces of tribal tattoo designs are to be found on Egyptian mummies. But these tattoos were used by several ancient tribes all over the world as symbol of their membership to the tribe. A membership for life, that had to be honoured and defended. Tattoos have often been connected with concepts like pride, honour, courage, victory and even gods and religions. That's because of the peculiarities of tattoos: their beauty, the noble pain you have to endure to get one (many are those who still today choose to get a tattoo in old traditional ways, ascribing a value to the pain they feel during the tattoo session) and the most characteristic one, their permanence.

Tattoos are permanent: Otzi is the proof that tattoo last longer than life itself. This aspect, so often neglected nowadays, has always been of primary importance in any known historical culture.

Probably the best known tribal tattoos in the world are those of the Maori people, who used to engrave their tattoos with chisels onto their faces. This most painful tattoo tradition was accepted with pride from all those "lucky ones" who proved themselves worthy of such an honour.

Today not much is left of the spiritual side of tribal tattoos. Nonetheless, their incredibly long and rich history emphasizes their charm and attracts more and more young men and women.

An important aspect for modern tattoo lovers is the versatility of this kind of tattoo. Tribal tattoos are not really a tattoo genre, like flower tattoos or dragon tattoos. Tribal is more a style. Any kind of standard tattoo design can be translated in tribal style. Women love butterfly tribal tattoos at least as much as men love animal tribal tattoos, like dragon, scorpion and tiger tattoos.

The possibilities are potentially infinite. Should you decide to go for Tribal tattoos, think about their history, the meaning and importance they have had for millions of people from all over the world and wear them with pride.

It's just a matter of letting your fantasy fly free and find the best tattoo design for you.