Monthly Archives: April 2011

custom freehand filipino tribal

custom freehand filipino tribal with baybayin names of his parents and siblings done in morbid tattoo parlor in cash and carry mall makati manila.

tattooed couple

1935 stamp of the philippines

The compass design is a popular maritime tattoo, reflecting the long history that has intertwined body art and sailors, and is similar to the nautical star in its symbolism. In the early age of sail,mariners navigated their way through uncharted waters and unknown perils armed only with the stars at night, a compass to point North and there own wits to guide them.

The compass and the North Star were all that a good sailor needed to find his way in the world, hence both were popular tattoodesigns. A tattoo not only to help navigate the sea, but to make ones way through life. Some of the most popular compass tattoodesigns are lifted straight off of old navigational charts.

U.S. Peace Corp Volunteer couple get tattooed in morbid tattoo parlor in cash and carry mall makati manila.

koi tattoo

The beauty and charm of the koi has made it a popular symbol for the family, especially in Japan where tubular flags designed as koi are raised on Children’s Day — black koi for father, flame red koi for mother, blue and white for boy, and pink and red for girl. On Boys’ Day Festival in Japan, each son in the family is honoured by a koi flag as an inspiration to the young that they might grow strong and resilient like this exceptional fish. American client gets a custom koi design with 4 cherry blossoms representing his wife, son and grandchildren, done in morbid tattoo parlor in cash and carry mall makati manila.

tribal tattoo

australian based korean national gets a custom freehand tribal design, done in morbid tattoo parlor in cash and carry mall makati manila

custom tattoo

accounts for nearly a third of all tattoo design search requests, and the term “tribal” of course covers an astonishing array of tattoo design possibilities, from the traditional tribal tattoos of indigenous and aboriginal cultures, to the latest in graphic design for the body.

While today it is possible to find some incredibly breathtaking tribal tattoo designs, you’ll be hard pressed to experience the full, authentic art of the tribal tattoo experience in commercial America. Now, electric tattoo machines and high tech, high quality inks have replaced sticks, styluses, bone needles and plant dyes of the moderntattoo’s ancient ancestors. Modern tattoo artists have replaced the shaman and medicine folk of old.

Most likely, the very first tattoo happened on accident. All it takes is a few rowdy primitives playing around the fire. It wouldn’t take long for someone to fall in, get poked with a charred stick and later heal before they’d realized that they were on to something. The news probably spread as fast as the fires that prompted the invention. As a matter of fact, it is rumored that the first tattoos were of the sun or flames in honor of the sun god(s).

There were three major factors that took the practice of tribal tattooing from the realm of art and into the plane of the spiritual: Pain, Permanence and Loss of the Life Source (blood). This mystical trio elevated the tattoo from mere art and transformed it into a chance to draw people into a relationship with God, a god, magic powers, or a trance or vision state.

Because body and soul were generally thought to be identical to one another, your tattoos then existed on two planes: the physical and spiritual realms. Many of the tribes from Borneo believed that tattoos would not only be enough to get them to the proper spirit world, but that their tattoos also offered them special qualifications for advantageous occupations upon their arrival.

To Identify Clans, Tribes and Families
Originally (and hence the name) tribal tattoos were employed to identify and group tribes, clans and families together. Not only did this enable you to easily identify one another, or recognize distant relatives, but it was generally believed that your tattoos would allow you to find your tribe and join it again in the afterlife. Today, fraternal orders, gangs, members of the military and other organizations also have designed tattoos that are recognizable to their fellow brothers and sisters

Marriage Tattoos
In addition to a tribal tattoo, ancient men and women may also wear a marriage tattoo. Not only would this serve the same function as the modern day wedding ring (as a witness to your commitment to another), but again, would allow you to find your spouse in the afterlife. This was understandably important when husbands and wives would “cross the veil” several years apart from one another. In modern times, this form of tribal tattoo is still prevalent, and you will often see spouses and life-mates with matching tattooed armbands, “rings”, initials, and hearts as a permanent witness to their love and fidelity.

Rites of Passage
Ancient adolescents approaching maturity would often come under the prick of the tribal tattoo point before being socially accepted as an adult. A woman who couldn’t bear the pain of a tattoo would be unfit for the impending pain of childbirth – making her unacceptable for marriage. A young man who couldn’t take it would be seen as unfit for battle or hunting, often dooming him to the role of outcast. Today, many teenagers eagerly await (or don’t wait) their eighteenth birthday and celebrate their entrance to adulthood by getting a tattoo.

Totem Animal Guardianship
Many tribal tattoos were administered as proof of the power of certain totem animalsover the lives of those they chose to guard and bless. This was especially true amongst Pacific Northwest Native American tribes and the Druids and Celtic people of the British Isles. Being bestowed with a totem animal guardian was a two-fold blessing- not only would you gain the strengths and abilities of the totem animal, but the tattoo also served as a mysterious link between the animal spirit and the bearer of its marks. Different animals provided different strengths and virtues to their receiver. Today, animal tattoos are wildly popular. Lower backs, upper backs, shoulders and arms abound which have been decorated with gentle butterflies, fearsome dragons, and deadly scorpions in hopes that these creatures’ merits will take hold.

Magical Reasons
Probably the most documented and understood of the magically charged tribal tattoos was for the purpose of love spells and charms. These tattoo magicians would mix special herbs and potent concoctions to their dyes and would apply the tattoo to a small, generally hidden area to activate the magic. Generally, these tattoos were kept hidden because it would be foolish for an old married woman to go around wearing the marks of a foolish youth. Today, who doesn’t know someone who knows someone with an ex’s name tattooed somewhere, whether they’ve covered it or removed now or not? The rich, spiritual folklore still survives today. Tribal tattoos are being given in droves, to people as different from one another as night is from day. You can find a tribal style fairy, Hawaiian themed designs, African inspired prints, and Celtic crosses (both pagan and Christian), and even Maori facial tribal art. But it appears that the ancient superstition still prevails. Client gets a custom tribal tattoo, done in morbid tattoo shop in cash and carry mall makati manila.

balance

korean special force army gets a custom angel and demon wings a balance of good and evil, done in morbid tattoo parlor in cash and carry mall makati manila.

nationalistic tribal tattoo

canadian client gets a custom filipino tribal tattoo design, done in morbid tattoo parlor in cash and carry mall makati manila.

friendship wings

korean best of friends gets a custom black and gray wings tattoo design, done in morbid tattoo parlor in cash and carry mall makati manila.