Tradional Tattoo?

[anishtradish]

theres actually new dyes that are semi-permanent too now that tattooists can use, that last only a few years and fade on their own, or are easily removed with certain lasers that really aren't too painful as the ones used for regular tattoo removal. so there is a few different options now.

[ProudNightWolf]

I see the tattoo's all over though. The pictures I posted are from NC but the one on the right I dont know where he is from I got them off yahoo so I do not know the men. Most powwows I go to are in the Ohio area and thats where I see a large number of them at.

[sokoki_wolf]

I see the tattoo's all over though. The pictures I posted are from NC but the one on the right I dont know where he is from I got them off yahoo so I do not know the men. Most powwows I go to are in the Ohio area and thats where I see a large number of them at.

im still betting people saw it in last of the mohicans and thought it was cool and started doing it,and now its become common...ive been around for alot of years and have never seen any tat like that on an ndn,im not doubting you at all but i think theyre a recent thing

[Kakeeya]

You should check with your elders because as I've said many many times, not all Nations are alike. Some don't have tattoos and some do. Mine doesn't allow for tats for specific reasons of which I won't say on here unless you know the secret handshake. L*

[sokoki_wolf]

You should check with your elders because as I've said many many times, not all Nations are alike. Some don't have tattoos and some do. Mine doesn't allow for tats for specific reasons of which I won't say on here unless you know the secret handshake. L*

does your tribe use the magic decoder ring too? j/k

[Kakeeya]

does your tribe use the magic decoder ring too? j/k

No decoder rings.... just have to know the right words and say them in the correct order along with the proper movements, gestures.

[sokoki_wolf]

No decoder rings.... just have to know the right words and say them in the correct order along with the proper movements, gestures.

[anishtradish]

I would even say it's pretty hard to even ask the elders, because a lot of tribes stopped doing a lot of the body modifications when they started being in contact with the Europeans. Also I think when a lot of tribes started loosing some of there traditional teachings or customs, in an attempt to regain their ways, people borrowed the customs of other tribes, this is especially true with the east coast tribes like the Cherokee. I think it would be pretty dam hard to actually find any genuine information about specific tattoo patterns that actually existed prior to European contact. Though I'm sure some tribes still might have records of tribal customs like tattooing, but since tattoos were almost taboo in the mainstream culture in the past 300 years, I doubt many people, even nowadays that tattoos are becoming part of the mainstream American culture, are really experienced in that knowledge of original tattooing.

Like how some of the tribes out west used to bind their babies foreheads to a board to give them a certain shape. Just a practice that died out, and most likely would be illegal today i'm sure.

I know my own people, the Ojibway, used to have piercings and body tattoos, but this was hundreds of years ago, and even the elders today really wouldn't be able to really give you any more information than the drawings and diary entries from the early missionaries and white trappers who documented things like that. Because even in their early lifetimes a lot of those practices were already long gone generations before them. Seems like when the white people came, they influenced a lot of people out of a lot of traditions, and physical appearance seemed to be one of the first things that changed. we stopped our piercings and tattoos and instead started wearing their cloths and glass beads instead.


but hey, it's 2008. If you want a tattoo go for it, and if you wanna show your pride and heritage through your ink, go ahead and do it, I did. I doubt anyone is really going to walk up to you and say "traditionally we didn't use designs like that" because if they weren't around back then, they don't have any right to say anything to you.

Kinda like how last week another traditional dancer, and older guy walked up to my friend and told him 'traditionally we didn't paint our faces like that", so I had to step in and point out that 'traditionally' we didn't wear bustles, we didn't wear metal bells, or have glass beads, or have velvet vests and so on, and pointed out all this stuff on his regalia that wasn't 'traditional' and he just shut up and walked away. Didn't mean any disrespect to him, but no one has the right really to say something else isn't traditional when they themselves pick and choose what they believe is 'traditional'.

So I guess my point is, just go ahead and get your tats if you feel like it, and don't really worry about what others might think, because a tattoo is something you get on your body and becomes a part of you, and only you have the right to judge that.

[Josiah]

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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.

Yes I was wondering if my fellow males could help me out here. I am looking to be very tradional and I notice alot of native males have a very specific tattoo on there forearms. I was wondering what is the meaning and tribal connection with them. I am Cherokee, Shawnee, and Cheyenne so not much holds me back but I dont want to disrespect anyone by putting the wrong marking on my body so could you guys help me out here. All my native culture background is all researched by myself b/c I don't have supporting family so PLEASE help a fellow NDN out!

I thought I had seen those Tattoos before:

Daniel Day Lewis:




Mohawk Extra:




As for "Traditional" Cherokee Tattoos those were reserved for Warriors going to War or Little War.
They were applied by a medicine man not a Tattoo Artist
The bleeding is part of the process to cleanse you before you go to war
This has not been done in many many years

You will not find what you are looking for here, we can only pass on information as for permission
That you will not find here.

[sokoki_wolf]

I thought I had seen those Tattoos before:

Daniel Day Lewis:




Mohawk Extra:




As for "Traditional" Cherokee Tattoos those were reserved for Warriors going to War or Little War.
They were applied by a medicine man not a Tattoo Artist
The bleeding is part of the process to cleanse you before you go to war
This has not been done in many many years

You will not find what you are looking for here, we can only pass on information as for permission
That you will not find here.

funny how the tats that PNW posted look identical to the ones in "mohican"...

[ProudNightWolf]

But the tattoo had to be around BEFORE the movie in order for the MOVIE to use or have the idea about.

[sokoki_wolf]

But the tattoo had to be around BEFORE the movie in order for the MOVIE to use or have the idea about.

not at all...those tats could have easily been taken from something else and adapted to tats...the designs arent really much more than geometric shapes...i think youre trying to find meaning in soemthing that may not have any...

[ProudNightWolf]

Also Tom Netz has them on his arms and he had told me part of what they ment but then I got interputed before I could write it all down and member it so I know he had his before the movie. So IDK this is all very confusing now lol

[sokoki_wolf]

Also Tom Netz has them on his arms and he had told me part of what they ment but then I got interputed before I could write it all down and member it so I know he had his before the movie. So IDK this is all very confusing now lol

um if you do a search on here,theres a bunch about tom netz,so i wouldnt really consider that a reliable source....

[FluteMaker]

i dont know tom netz personally and im not too sure id admit it if i did.but its looking more and more like 'monkey see, monkey do' with you and the tattoo thing. i'll assume you dont have any elder types to talk to or you wouldnt be on here asking about the ink so i'll just tell you this little story......

a guy my sister used to pal around with got drunk one night and got a tattoo on his shoulder of a set of chinese letters that supposedly meant 'no fear'. someone else told him the letters didnt translate that way and he got the bright idea of going to a chinese resteraunt in chicago to get someone to tell him what the letters were. no dice.
turns out they were'nt chinese, but japanese. so he went to a japanese place. the guy at the japanese place wasnt quite sure what the letters were but gave a loose translation of what they meant. one character had something to do with a stake or a pole banners are hung from and the other had to do with smoking or a person who smokes. the point is this; he didnt know what he was doing either and wound up with something on his shoulder that he hadnt planned for.
now, in your case,you seem to be looking for an open invite to get what ever tat you want for no other reason than you want it. mental note; tattoos dont wash off. once youve got that puppy on there its there for good. i dont know youre herritage, but unless youre of that culture that has the tats you seem to admire so much, id leave it alone.