Taino Tattoos
Updated: Aug 19, 2022
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Taino Tattoos, A Tribal Movement In Art
Tribal art is a simplified and beautiful form of art. Tribal tattoo art has a whole other meaning to most people. There are some of us who wish to escape the norm, wish to leave the modern world behind and delve into the extreme natural beauty that is the primal and raw life of the native.
Native tribes of the area of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica have a wonderful representation of their lives. Their artwork is very unique and proclaims the uninhibited motions of their lives.
Many residents of America and even remote countries around the world choose to represent a moment of their lives with a Taino tattoo. As much as we want to believe that we know what a Taino tattoo really is, we basically have no clue. With proper education and research, we can discover everything that there is to know about the Taino Indians and their artistic ways.
In the Caribbean Islands the indigenous ethnic groups, otherwise known as the Boriken people are slowly starting to regain their numbers in the population. History tells us that their numbers were greatly reduced because of disease and slavery brought over from Spain.
As these people regained their strength, their artwork resumed and word of this beautiful craft spread throughout the world. Since the Taino has no alphabet, everything that they wished to convey was drawn with symbols and petroglyphs. There was no use of paper, these symbols were simply carved onto rock. The thought of using a needle to carve skin would have fit right in with the Taino tribe.
The Most Popular Taino Tattoos That Modern
Some of the most popular Taino tattoos that modern society likes to acquire is the sun and moon, the Coqui and the gods. The sun is actually the utmost popular symbol used with the Taino tattoo design.
The sun and moon were thought to live in caves, each taking its turn to show themselves across the sky. The Coqui, on the other hand, represented several different animals, mainly amphibians and reptiles.
The gods were often represented by a spiral design. Spirals have been found all over the globe and in every instance, they represent gods or eternal life. The gods were so highly revered that tattoo designs were varied in shape and design, but still had one element that showed that the tattoo paid homage to the deity that they worshipped.
In the artwork, the Taino help great reverence for the spiral. The Taino tattoo can also portray other symbols such as Twins, water or lovers. Since water is an important element worldwide, the symbol on the skin is also very popular. There are other symbols that are portrayed on the Taino tattoo, but their meanings are unknown.
Tattoos are very popular, with tribal Taino tattoos being the most sought after designs at the studio. Society may be advancing with innovative products, but the artwork is taking a step back and appreciating the history and the natural aspects of life. With tribal tattoos, we are definitely making an outstanding and raw statement about what we represent with our art.
Tribal Taino Tattoos
Taino tattoos, or “red men”, are known to feature a lot of tribal detail. Tribal Taino tattooing began in South America and has spread across the world, thanks to tattoo enthusiasts. This can be seen in tattoo designs of both males and females, but usually, it is females who feature the most tribal-inspired artwork. The designs that are featured on Taino tattoos are usually done with large stones or hearts, in a style known as “horns”.
Taino women’s tattoos were inspired by the culture that they belonged to. Tattoo design inspiration came from both men and women belonging to the indigenous tribes. Both sexes included symbolism and art that is considered sacred and from their culture. The images were done to show the strength and dedication to the tribe.
Taino tattoos are popularly worn by men, women, and children. They symbolize strength and determination. Many images feature large, symmetrical stones and hearts. Often times the tattooed person is represented as an old man, having a big beard, and wears a tunic. Other designs are more abstract, such as floral tattoos, abstract animal drawings, or many designs that include star tattoos.
The significance of the Taino tattoo is actually much larger than a simple tribal theme. Tribal artwork is known to be a way to honour their culture, and as a way to stand up for their ancestral territories. Therefore, many people who display tribal Taino tattoo designs feel proud of their heritage.
Taino tattoos are also designed to remind a person of the heritage of their family. A tribal design can sometimes be more meaningful than just a tattoo design. It represents a certain time period or a specific part of their history. It is a way to remind them of their heritage and how it affected their life.
Women often choose to display a tribal Taino tattoo on their arm, wrist, or leg. It is a great way to display original artwork that is very unique. For men, it is often displayed around the stomach or back. It can be placed anywhere a person feels comfortable with it since it is from an indigenous culture.
The Taino tribal designs are done with large stones or rocks. The stone or rock is then arranged in a knot formation, usually in a geometric pattern. This means that the tattoo can be far more intricate than the tattoo designs you will find in other countries.
Taino tattoos are not hard to find, but they are more expensive because of the materials that were used to make them. However, if you have a good tattoo artist who specializes in tribal tattoos, you can get something very unique.