Sketches of shoulder tattoos for ethnic men. Tribal tattoos

It has recently become quite popular Ethnic tattoo style. This style is distinguished by its volume and variety of patterns. In ancient times, our ancestors quite often applied all sorts of patterns and marks to their bodies, indicating a person’s status, his achievements, or simply as decoration for the body. Using preserved ancient drawings, tattoo artists very skillfully combine ethnic style with modern ones.

Ethnic tattoos immediately catch the eye and are difficult to confuse with something else - this style consists of smooth lines and dots, which are very beautifully combined with sharp strokes.

Types of ethnic tattoos

Depending on which nationality the drawings were borrowed from, one can distinguish different styles: Celtic, Indian, Maori, Polynesian, Mayan and many others. Probably the most striking and memorable is the Scythian style of tattoos. Although most of the designs in the ethnic tattoo style were invented by modern artists, they draw them from genuine elements. An example is the embalmed remains of a Scythian warrior-leader found during excavations in the Altai Mountains, whose body was covered with many beautiful drawings. After a thorough study of the body, archaeologists found out that the drawings were applied precisely by the pricking method. All the drawings were executed in the well-known animal style, and on the chest there was a huge and superbly executed griffin lion, symbolizing the majesty and great strength of the ancient leader.

So in the modern interpretation the main pattern is applied on the front of the body, depicting various animals and mythical creatures. The rear is significantly less complex, but overall complements the front perfectly.

But, nevertheless, the most popular ethnic tattoos remain Celtic ornaments. But this style is already quite difficult to distinguish, since this style has always been influenced by various cultures. Celtic designs are distinguished by their elements of different plants and leaves, but later they began to add animals, which together look very harmonious.

It is also worth noting the Indian direction of ethnic tattoo style. Here you can see images of dots, brush strokes, Hindu deities, elephants and cows.

And recently the style of the Papuans from New Guinea has become popular. The characteristic of this direction of ethnic style is simple figures that together make up the entire pattern.

Today, exotic body paintings of different tribes and peoples are of undying interest among those who want to emphasize their bright individuality.

Ethnic tattoo on the arm in the form of patterns of ancient peoples

Story

Ethnic tattoos, sketches of which you see below, were largely formed under the influence of ancient tribal designs and early primitive ornaments, originating from cave paintings. These are sacred images applied for a clearly defined purpose, amulets, amulets and human talismans. The following images are often classified as ethnic tattoos:

Celtic.
Indian (Haida, Maya).
Indian.
Japanese.
Polynesian.

Each of these types has its own specific features, which are often confused in modern tattoo art. The tribal designs of the Borneo island culture are impressive and bulky, consisting of broad black lines that imitate animals and plants. The tribes of the Marquesas Islands gravitate toward depicting regular geometric shapes.

Haida black and red designs feature lines of varying widths that mimic the natural world and astrological symbols. Celtic patterns are more subtle and depict, in addition to animals and plants, also shields and crosses. Not everyone can bear to get a Samoan tattoo, because it is carved using a pig's or shark's tooth.

This is interesting . The Filipino ethnic tattoo and its symbolism are shrouded in mystery, as in this community there is a terrible taboo against revealing the secrets of the ancient art. Only a master initiated into the sacred knowledge of the tribe can make such a drawing according to all the rules.

Ethical chest tattoo in Polynesian style

Ta-moko

This is interesting . According to legend, the art of ta-moko was brought to the Maori tribe by a warrior named Mataora, who fell in love with a princess of the underworld. When he offended his beloved, she returned to her home. Later, Mataora returned for her again, and her father taught the legendary hero the art of tattooing.

Although ethnic tattoos can be understood as the body art of any individual people (Celts, Japanese, Indians), it so happens that this term often refers to tattoos of several exotic tribes, in particular, the Polynesian Maori tribe. It is the Polynesian tattoo that has recently attracted lovers of ethnic identity more often than others.

Polynesians inhabit more than a thousand islands scattered in the Pacific Ocean and, despite the fact that now most of them are open to tourism, the people retain their unique culture and beliefs, which have left their mark on the art of tattooing. Therefore, many people who want to get a real Polynesian tattoo go here.

Ethnic bracelet on hand

Fact . It is curious that the word “tattoo” was brought by James Cook precisely from the Polynesian language, and in the Tahitian dialect “tatau” meant “a design on human skin.”

The New Zealand Maori tribe used tattoos for sacred purposes, carving them into the skin using a special chisel, shark tooth, seashell, albatross bone or fish. The traditional use of only two types of ink has passed into modern ethnic tattoos, the photo you see is dominated by black and gray inks. Each drawing, called moko, is unique, as is the life story of a particular person.

Did you know? Ethnographer Julius Lins described a case where an artist painted an old Maori man. The similarity was striking, but when the work was shown to the Polynesian, he turned over a piece of paper and drew his moko on it. The old Maori said to the painter: “This is how I look, and your scribbling is meaningless.”

With the help of all these elements, the tattoo embodies the world that surrounds a person: animals, plants, stars and planets. Also characteristic of the style of these drawings is a certain symmetry, which reflects the true beauty of nature.

Proof that moko is not just decoration, but an important sacred component of the Maori tribe, is the fact that many elements were applied only in a certain form and to strictly designated parts of the body:

Pae-pae. Symmetrical large spirals on the cheeks.
Pu-kauwae. Spiral patterns on the chin.
Rerepehi. Symmetrical smooth lines from the chin to the nose.
Rerepi. Spiral lines on the nose.
Tivkhana. A series of patterns drawn from the nose to the eyebrows and down to the ears.
Puho-ro. Drawings on the upper part of the forehead.
Titi. Decoration of the lower part of the forehead.

Ethnic runes on the hand in the form of a tattoo

It is curious that tattooed Maori people occupy a high position in society, and men without moko live almost like slaves. Therefore, the more tattoos, the higher the status, but their application still needs to be earned. And the process of pricking the design itself is performed in the tribe only by priests who masterfully master the ta-moko technique.

Did you know? Curiosity about Polynesian tattoos is not a new trend. There is a story that the greedy leader of one of the tribes became rich by selling the heads of his fellow tribesmen decorated with moko tattoos to Europeans.

Symbolism

Among the Polynesians, ethnic tattoos, the meaning of which is largely sacred, contained the entire history of a particular person: biography, social status, character traits, personality strengths and abilities. At the same time, the drawing carried with it the properties of a talisman, a good sign that fenced a person off from life’s adversities. Here are some of the main themes of tattoos of these peoples:

Spiral Koru. A sign of new achievements and hope for a better future.
Sun. Symbolizes eternal life.
Moon. A sign of femininity and abundance.
Water. Represents variability, inconstancy, cyclicality and the flow of life.
Fire . Talks about instability.
Cross . Symbolizes the need for balance and harmony.
Stones. They represent power and stability.
Canoe. Grants good luck and protection in travel.
Fern. Brings tranquility, good luck and peace.
Lotus. Helps overcome life's difficulties.
Seashell. Speaks of attachment to one's home.
Dolphin. A positive symbol that speaks of a person’s harmony with the world around him.
Shark . Embodies tenacity of character, perseverance in achieving goals and strength.
Shark teeth. Amulet from troubles and misfortunes.
Fishing hook. Is a talisman of good luck.
Axe . Stuffed with warriors and fighters.
A spear . Speaks of the wearer's courage and strength.
. Symbolizes family well-being, health and longevity.
Whale. Protects a person, his family and circle of close people.
Octopus. Gives a person the ability to easily adapt to any situation.
Eel. Indicates the misfortunes the wearer has gone through.
Skat. Brings freedom and beauty.
Birds . They grant the ability to see current events from an objective distance and also represent good news.
Butterflies. They symbolize the transformation of the soul.
Cords. They represent ancestors and show respect to them.
Eyes . They symbolize the vigilant attention of their ancestors.
Eye . A talisman that helps distract the enemy in battle and win victory.
Image of a person. A group of sketchy people talk about the close people of the owner of the moko. Connected people talk about family ties. Little men with raised hands talk about the warrior and the number of victories won.

Ethnic tattoo on a guy's chest

I chose an ethnic sketch of the Maori tribe as a tattoo, the same as Dwayne Johnson’s. I think that this style looks especially good on pumped up muscular male shoulders.

Vladimir, Saransk

Ethnic symbol OM and eye mountain on hand

Art vs craft

In tattoo parlors you can find piles of sketches of Polynesian tattoos, and the artists themselves are not averse to depicting a unique plot, deftly combining spirals and curls. However, you should remember that real mokos should carry the story of your life. This is the art of drawing a person, which has evolved over thousands of years, and is not a simple compilation of symbols.

Therefore, many people want to get their own, unique and meaningful tattoo. Today, for this it is not at all necessary to go to the island aborigines, because there are real masters initiated into ancient traditions:

"Sign of the Four Waves". A group of artists based in North America and the Philippine Islands specialize in Filipino tattooing. Members of the Waves jealously protect their art so that it does not suffer the fate of moko tattoos, which have become a fashion trend and perverted by the West.
Volker Clot. A master from Germany, initiated into the Ta Moko tradition.
Seymour Kaniho. A Hawaiian who trained in Polynesian tattooing and brings the art to the masses.

Tamara, Sochi

Video: tattoos of the peoples of the world

Relatively recently, the Ethnic style has become very popular in the world of tattoos. It would seem that a new fashion trend attracts visitors with its bizarre shapes, various weaves and patterns, but if you look carefully, Ethnica can be classified as the oldest type of tattoo art.

Where did the Ethnic style come from?

The name of the style speaks of a deep past; of course, the tattoo style could be called anything, but this name of the style is not accidental. The entire style, forms and drawings in the Ethnic style are taken from the depths of history, there are different directions, but they are all united by ancient symbolism and a clear designation of each depicted line, bend and symbol. In the ancient world, people decorated their bodies with various designs that symbolized their occupation, life history, achievements, and attachment to various deities and powers. Each individual image or their complex symbolized a life story, from which, without words, knowledgeable people could learn more about a person than any stories.

How Ethnics came to us and why it was revived only now.

The forms, appearance and designation of symbols have survived to this day thanks to ancient epics, chronicles, legends and epics. Many legends literally describe drawings and their symbols verbatim; even without a visual picture, you can recreate an exact copy of the image from words. Also, deciphered records on ancient tablets make it possible to give pictorial meaning to ancient symbols. Why did this style become popular relatively recently? The answer lies in historical prejudice and persecution. Basically, all the symbolism of Ethnics is associated with the ancient gods, the forces of nature, the unity of man and the surrounding world. Since in most countries there was an imposition of faith and the persecution of the old gods, a completely understandable ban appeared on the application of “pagan” and objectionable symbols to the body. Of course, at first, this was perceived with hostility, but year after year, century after century, and Ethnics practically disappeared. It was preserved only in small communities living according to ancient laws, which did not recognize the new faith. These communities also influenced the revival of this style. Nowadays, when there is complete freedom of information and choice, this prohibition has dissolved and ceased to be relevant. People began to study their origins, culture and ancestors more deeply, and as a result, tattoos rose to the surface, which later became known as Ethnics.

What are Ethnic tattoos divided into?

These tattoos stand out from the rest and are difficult to confuse with other styles. Ethnic art consists of smooth, clear lines and dots that intertwine with rough strokes, creating a single picture. Depending on the region where the symbolism was discovered, its historical affiliation and nationality, several main directions of Ethnics are divided:

Celtic
Indian.
Maori.
Polynesian.
Mayan.

Of course, there are many more subspecies, but these are the main ones.

What trends of Ethnics are popular today and why they attract people.

According to statistics, Celtic themes are in first place in the modern world. This fact is due to the fact that the image uses various trees, leaves and animals woven into the overall picture, which complement each other. The modernized Celtic theme is a real canvas, enchanting with its incorruptible beauty and natural integrity. It is also worth noting that the Ethnic style, which originated among the Papuans of New Guinea, is actively gaining popularity. The design is based on simple figures, circles, squares, rhombuses, rectangles that are individually unremarkable, but as a whole they are woven into a pattern, creating the image of a multifaceted kaleidoscope. These tattoos can be of different sizes; there are cases that in this style the entire body is covered, turning the tattoo into a single canvas and a second skin, because in this case the design has neither beginning nor end.

The Ethnic style is at the same time the most ancient and youngest in the tattoo world. It develops both with the help of the imagination of masters and from historical treatises, myths and legends. This symbiosis of ancient knowledge and the craftsmanship of contemporaries gives birth to unique creations that not only carry deep meaning, but also delight the eyes of others.