Tradional Tattoo?

[timmy tiger]

I know a man from a Res who got a Celtic tatoo accross his back. Does that make him traditional Scottish? A tatoo doesn't mean anything really but that you like it and it looks good. And it is something that you will have to live with the rest of your life. Now, that's something to think about. There are people who say that they want to get a tatoo that represents them and who they are. Well that's all well and good if you are into that, but if you are thinking that just 'cause someone sees it that they will automatically take you as what the picture represents, you are sadly mistaken there. I'm sorry but that is true. Most people will just see it and either say "It looks nice" or someone might ask you about it. Otherwise, most people will just not pay any attention to it or to what you think that it represents.

Getting a tatoo isn't about how other's see you or take you, but it's solely about what you like. However, when you are talking about Tribal Tatoo's, then that is something that should be addressed to an "Elder" of that Tribe.

[sokoki_wolf]

it sounds like you want the secret handshake and password before you pay your dues...if you see that tattoo or something similar on someone and theyre Indian,i really wouldnt go copying it to be cool or accepted..i think it would have the opposite affect to be honest...you cant just proclaim one day"im traditional", its not like being a christian....your actions will speak louder than any mark on your body...have you ever asked anyone who had one of these tat's,what the design meant?how do you know it has anything to do with being traditional?
you said you dont want the tat for any reason except to show your connection to your culture and as a sign of what you represent...if you really stop and think about it,that makes no sense at all...you want to wear a symbol to show what youre about and proclaim to the world,that youre traditional, but you dont know what the symbol means...hmmmmmmmmm...
if you want to show the ndn world what youre about and be accepted,go pick up litter at the next powwow you go to,help feed everyone...that would go alot further than a mark on your skin that you dont have a clue what it means...
ps..ive been around a long time and ive never seen that tat on anyone...

[Margy]

Exactly, the meaning is so very important. I'd never ever get a tattoo because it looks "cool". Nope, but that's just me. Mine got a reason, helped me through a tough period of my life, have a meaning of healing body and soul, grounding me and so on. It is MINE and usually nobody but me can see it. It's just for myself and means a lot to me. It makes me stronger and reminds me what I have been through in my life. That's what I meant when I said I waited about 10 years but didn't get one, but then out of the sudden I felt what I wanted and needed- without anybody's help or comment. My tattoos are just for myself. Scars. Black scars. Everlasting. A part of me. Nothing to show off. One part of my tattoo is a scar over a real large scar. Not to hide it but more a symbol that everything is gonna be alright from now on :-).
I have seen some traditional tattoos myself, made in a traditional way, some Native American ones, some Celtic made with a shark's tooth, even some on men's faces. I've seen pieces of great art without any meaning - more to show off or look pretty, many of those tribals that are getting out of fashion sooner or later,.... some bodies look like patchwork. So- I wish you'd find what you need and want to be happy, but not for other people - no - for yourself. That's why I tried to find out something about the meanings of those symbols. But as I said at first: When I first saw the tattoo on your pic, it reminded me of a drum. Not a Native American drum, I don't remember yet which drum it is that it keeps reminding me of, maybe Irish, Swiss, .... something like that. So like Sokoki Wolf and Timmy Tiger said: Having such a tattoo doesn't make people think you're a traditional person. It is not important what people think or what I think. Please make your own decision, and if you want to honor somebody with a tattoo, then I would suggest to get first hand info from those who really know about these things. Not via Internet. Good luck, and if it is as important for you as it seems to be, you'll find your perfect tattoo sooner or later. Please don't hurry....

[ProudNightWolf]

Megwethch all for your help, I know what I must do and not do now. You have all helped me some way or another. My words are coming out wrong but atleast I have still gotten the help. I thank all of you very much!

[sookout sh'nob]

Looks 6 nations to me bro - although they had similar ink on the NW coast too. Do your research, a lot of designs and their placement are gender specific.

And just because i did the research; the bands that practiced tattooing amongst the Ojibwe had designs that have a similar vibe too Maori designs. I only know one family that still does them - the daughter that has them is a lawyer and has old facial designs.

These are 3 different varations of the tattoo I am trying to decribe, can ANYONE explain it to me, I am not getting the tattoo bc of looks, or for my dance style, or any reason other than I want it to show my connection with my culture and pride. A sign of what I represent.

[FluteMaker]

<a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i25.tinypic.com/dy2k5w.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>

These are 3 different varations of the tattoo I am trying to decribe, can ANYONE explain it to me, I am not getting the tattoo bc of looks, or for my dance style, or any reason other than I want it to show my connection with my culture and pride. A sign of what I represent.

the two on the left kinda look Haudenosaunee to me. but that third one, the onle on the right i want to say looks farther NE...... abenaki or mikmaq maybe, but yeah, those are tribal specific ink jobs

[ProudNightWolf]

The two on the left are the SAME guy who is cherokee and was at one of the the Cherokee powwows. I found his photo on Yahoo mixed with alot of other cherokee people from I belive the memorial day powwow of 2007 but not to sure. As for the one on the right I know NOTHING about, just found this male on yahoo and took his arm lol.

[sokoki_wolf]

they look like they could be tats from last of the mohicans,i'll have to watch it again and see if theres any similar...

[sokoki_wolf]

hey PNW...how old are the people you see with these tats?

[ProudNightWolf]

Most look in their early 30's, give or take a few, and older

[FluteMaker]

just as a mental note..... a guy being at a cherokee powwow doesnt nessesarily mean hes cherokee. something you could try is asking the guys with the ink. its been my experience that people with ink are usually quite proud of their tats and dont mind too much talking about their work

[anishtradish]

they look like they could be tats from last of the mohicans,i'll have to watch it again and see if theres any similar...

LOL thats what I was thinking when I seen em.




All my tats are done in Haida and Moari style, but have specific meanings to me and where I come from.

[sokoki_wolf]

well,theres a bunch of tats on this site that look the same as the ones PNW is asking about:
TATTOO TANTALIZERS!

scroll down to the bottom of the first page...and theres other pages too....last of the mohicans was filmed in NC and thats where PNW has seen these tats...i wouldnt be surprised if the people he's been seeing them on were extras in the movie and decided to get the tats done permanetly after the movie...
on page 3 ,daniel day lewis has the same kind of tat on his arm.....

[Margy]

Here is a pic of those drums I was talking about earlier:



Looks similar to me. Meaning? I have no clue...

[New2itall]

Ya know, if ya want some body art for a weekend, there are non-permanent dyes that can be used to achieve the effect. Wode and henna being two of the oldest around. Of course I see plenty of teenagers with non-permanent tats made from ball point pens! Myself, no tats, but I have been had henna applied for a friend's wedding. It was very relaxing. I don't imagine the needles and in being that way.