Research task: Tattooing as Visual Language

For this research task, I need to research and document my thoughts on tattoo design; research cultural tattoos that are continued to be created today. I need to understand the meanings and the deeper connections of what it means for certain cultures to be tattooed.

Tattooing is an integral form of self-expression these days, many people get tattoos to express who they are and what they like; I'm one of those people, I see tattooing as a piece of art that will forever stay with you. To other cultures it's more than just self-expression, it's traditional, one that dates back thousands of years; and typically holds an important moment for when the tattooing takes place.

Communities like Māori and Samoans, as well as people located in Mexico and West Africa have these traditions; and usually use tattooing as a sacred part of their culture. 1 In West Africa, they use scarification to represent their family symbols, identify women who have gone through puberty and marriage, and men tend to get it for attraction-- as well as displaying "social, political and religious roles", the scars show lines and dots that are a smaller part of a bigger pattern. 2

'Sketch of a Māori chief', 1773 engraving by T. Chambers

Māori communities tattoo in an incredibly beautiful tradition that runs deeper than ink, the process of tattooing (otherwise known as Tā Moko) is all about spirituality with the sitter and their ancestors, it was originally chiseled into the skin but has since adapted to modern techniques-- but is also dependent on the artist.

The tattoo itself would symbolise many things such as personal journeys, family heritages, status accomplishments and anything significant to the sitter's own journey. The designs would have a lot of flowing lines that would display on the face, the lines would flow with each other and creating dynamic motions, and almost go along the dimensions of the face. 3

Similarly but not distinct to, Tatau (Tattooing) has been an important part of the Samoans connection to their ancestors but would do so

with other meanings, instead of flowing lines, Samoans tend to tattoo symbols on their bodies. The symbols represent many things like support, strength, protection, etc. They're there to help guide the inner soul through their journey while honoring their ancestors with the very same symbol they had tattooed. 4 Traditionally the work is displayed on the legs for the women, whereas the men would get it on their arms, or chest. It has since evolved to suit what the sitter of the tattoo wants.

The designs would incorporate the symbols with geometric shapes that run along the curves of the body; the tattoos are very sacred to the people in the tribes of the Pacific islands, so it's important to them that people within their tribe get it done, and tend to get a little upset when people outside their culture get the tattoos not knowing the importance and the sacred meanings behind each line and symbol. 5

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Tattoos in Mexican culture find their meaning through historical architecture, pottery and art to also

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honor their ancestors through tattoo designs; it did go through quite a dark history at one point where it was predominantly prison tattoos that represented women poorly, but tattoo artists are now changing that view; now it's viewed tattooing as a honour of pain to their ancestors. 7

From my own knowledge and understanding, in some cultures tattooing is seen as gang iconography though it hasn't always been the case; Japan and China's history of tattooing dates far back and were both considered as an art form, as time went on tattoos became associated with crime and both of the art forms have been severely lost within their culture. 8

Although not permanent, India use Henna, a plant is used to create Henna called 'Lawsonia inermis'; while it dyes the skin it can also cool the skin which was it's original use until to was introduced to the process of Henna, as well as dyeing hair, anils and clothes. Intricate patterns are "painted" on the sitter with symbolisms of joy that is woven into religions around the world; it's generally used for weddings and festivals, It's believed that the henna and its designs "are used to protect couples from demons". 10

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Sak Yant, traditional Thai tattoos are also produced for religious reasons, protection and "fortune-bearing purposes"; the intricate designs range from chants to symbols that represent a magical prayer that can be intertwined with Hindu beliefs and iconography. The beautiful sentiment and designs act like charms for the sitter to be protected from or to receive good luck and success, each of the many designs that one can get represent a deeper meaning. 11

The meaning of tattooing is different and similar to each culture, it's more than the ink that goes on their skin. Tattoos provide a physical connection to the sitter and their beliefs, their family or their own personal journey. They do so in many design techniques like the use of patterns or small symbols, whereas some use iconography (referencing other cultural elements with architecture, statues, Gods, etc.).

What I will take away from this research task is how beautiful each tattoo design culturally and historically are, typically when you ask someone about their tattoos there is usually a lot of thought and meaning behind it-- like my Mum's tattoo that was done with inspiration from her Mum, to honour her. There are instances where you want to get a tattoo because it's cool and a interesting art piece for your body, but it's really interesting to see this side of tattooing.

1 A. Little, Great Value Vacations 'Tattoo Styles Around the World', U/A. https://www.greatvaluevacations.com/travel-inspiration/tattoos-around-the-world Accessed July 4th 2025.

2 H. Coleman, Rand African Art 'Scarification and Cicatrisation among African cultures', Nov 2002. https://www.randafricanart.com/Scarification_and_Cicatrisation_among_African_cultures.html Accessed July 4th, 2025.

3 National Gallery of Australia, YouTube 'Tā Moko - Introduction', Apr 2, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF3w66aa2VI Accessed Jul 4th, 2025.

4 TheCoconetTV, YouTube ' Tatau Patterns Explained | Cultural Refresh', Mar 13, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjsxvQfUzoI Accessed July 4th, 2025.

5 TheCoconetTV, Youtube '‘The Evolution of Pacific Tatau', Sep 17, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pT-vq0sFW8 Accessed July 4th, 2025.

6 U/A, Beautiful Samoa (Samoa Tattoos) 'Samoan Tattoos', U/A. https://www.samoa.travel/discover/our-culture/tattoos/ Accessed July 4th 2025.

7 VICE, YouTube 'Aztec Tattoo Artist Uses Ink to Honor Ancestors', Jan 11, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGEBu0rP9Yw Accessed July 4th, 2025.

8 A. Little, Great Value Vacations 'Tattoo Styles Around the World', U/A. https://www.greatvaluevacations.com/travel-inspiration/tattoos-around-the-world Accessed July 4th 2025.

9 U/A, Skin Design Tattoo 'Aztec Tattoo', U/A. https://skindesigntattoos.com/aztec/ Accessed July 4th 2025.

10 T. Begum, Natural History Museum ' The henna plant: Transcending time, religion and culture', U/A. https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/the-henna-plant-transcending-time-religion-and-culture.html Accessed July 4th 2025.

11 U/A, BBK Tattoo Studio 'SAK YANT TATTOO DESIGNS MEANING TRADTIONAL THAILAND', U/A. https://www.bkktattoostudio13.com/sak-yant-tattoos-designs-meaning.html Accessed July 4th, 2025.

12 Wikipedia contributors, 'Yantra tattooing', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 23 June 2025, 22:03 UTC, <https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yantra_tattooing&oldid=1297051327>. Accessed 4 July 2025