Tribal Tattoos

Tribal Ink From Around the World

Tribal tattoos have been been practiced in one form or another for millenia. While the practice may be somewhat different nowadays there are still many who get tribal tattoos for reasons which could be described as neo-tribal in their quest to belong to a 'tribe' (either neo-tribal or traditional) even if it is on a subconscious level. Most simply get tribal tattoos because of their striking appearance.

Historically getting tattooed was seen as a rite of passage into adulthood. A belief goes that if a girl can't take the pain of tattooing, she is un-marriageable, because she will never be able to deal with the pain of child birth. If a boy can't deal with the pain he is considered to be a bad risk as a warrior, and could become isolated from the tribe.

© Tattoo by Nissaco from Chopstick Tattoo

Some primitive tribes use tattooing as a rite of social status. The Maori peoples of New Zealand use tattooing primarily for this purpose. To the Maori, a person's Moko designs enhanced their prestige and show transition from one social status to another. At its highest level, Moko designs proclaimed the sacredness of chieftainship.

See more tribal tattoos

An offshoot of Maori tattooing for health is tattooing to preserve youth. Maori girls tattooed their lips and chin, for this reason. When an old Ainu lady's eyesight is failing, she can re-tattoo her mouth and hands, for better vision.

© Tattoo by Nissaco from Chopstick Tattoo

The Hawaiians are prominent among people who have specific tattoo gods. In Hawaii, the images of the tattoo gods are kept in the temples of tattoo priests. Each tattoo session begins with a prayer to the tattoo gods that the operation might not cause death, that the wounds might heal soon, and that the designs might be handsome.

In the 1970's, American tattooing discovered primitive, tribal tattoos. People wanted simple designs with meaning and they began copying Polynesian tattoos primarily from the islands of the South Pacific. In the past few decades, people of westerners began looking for tribal tattoos of their own origins and created a new form of tattoo commonly known as neo tribal. Many old school American tattooists will tell you...

When you should get a tattoo, the tattoo god will tell you that it is time

© Tattoo by Nissaco from Chopstick Tattoo.

Want to flash off your tattoo pictures on this page? Easy peasy...

*All approved contributions receive an e-book of Tattoo Designs

Click below to see view pictures of tattoos from site visitors, rate their ink and read comments from others about your tattoos.

Lords Prayer Tattoo 
I love this tattoo. It is one of my favorite ..

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos, black and gray tattoos, butterfly tattoos, celtic tattoos, dragon ...

Dark Angel Tattoo on Shoulder 
Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos, black and gray tattoos, butterfly tattoos, celtic tattoos, dragon tattoos, erotic tattoos, heart tattoos, female ...

Tribal / Cross Tattoo 
My tattoo is a tribal tattoo that is wrapped around a baby blue cross. The reason why I got it is because the cross represents my religion. The baby blue ...

Tribal Tattoo 
Took a few days to do, its not yet completed. My arm and shoulder were done a few months ago and I have had my stomach and chest done recently.

I had ...

Original Tribal Tattoo Design 
The tattoo is an original tribal design. It took a little over three hours and was done by Jeff from Immortal Art in Scottsdale, AZ.

Tribal Tattoo 
I designed it myself. It took about 2 hours,i still need to get a touch up. I got it when i was 17.

Animal Tattoo 
This is a tattoo to represent my birthday it is unfinished as I am not sure what to add but I just feel it needs more it took 3 hours to complete ..

Popular ...

Butterfly Tattoo With Tribal on Lower Back 
This was my first tattoo that i got for my 16th birthday! It took about 30-45 minutes. Its now 3 years old and hasnt even really faded. There is Blue, purple ...

Polynesian Tribal Tattoo  Not rated yet
This tatau took two three hour sessions and is a contemporary Samoan tribal peace...

The artist goes by the name of Alipate Fetuli-Taula.

Popular ...

Gnarly Tribal Tattoo  Not rated yet
It's a tribal tattoo which took 2 hours. It was realized by a Tunisian young tattooist named Black Aangel Ferid.

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos,...

Abstract Tribal Tattoo  Not rated yet
It took my artist ummm....about 6 hours. It is something very different that he just drew up and I love it!

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos, black ...

Tribal Yin Yang Sun Tattoo on Back  Not rated yet
A tribal sun with spirals for fire and a yin yang in the center. Seventh Street did my tat for me and i love it.

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos,...

Bull Tattoo  Not rated yet
The rock's bull tattoo

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos, black and gray tattoos, butterfly tattoos, celtic tattoos, dragon tattoos, erotic tattoos,...

Wolf Tattoo  Not rated yet
The tattoo i did was of a wolf head howling. It took me 3 1/2 hours. I did it for a friend. I am self taught, never by any one.
lilley_64@hotmail....

Tattoos From Down Under  Not rated yet
This tattoo is a cross with some scrolls. The fishing rods represent my dad because he loved his fishing and the symbol. In the middle is his football ...

Back Tattoo on Dude  Not rated yet
My back tattoo with picture of masks inscribed 'smile now cry later' ..

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos, black and gray tattoos, butterfly tattoos,...

Black and Gray Tattoo Work With Nice Shading  Not rated yet
Mermaid with ship set in a palm tree frame. my future son-in-law Ralphy did the work. he is at the nuclear crayon in Springfield Mass. it took about 4....

Yin Yang Tattoo on Back  Not rated yet
This tatto was taken from a small sticker was done by 'Smithys Tattoos' here in Bremerton took 3 1/2 hours ..

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos,...

Tribal Tattoo  Not rated yet
Destiny .. fate

View More Tribal Tattoos in This Massive Collection of Tattoo Art!