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Commonly mistaken as solely Japanese tattoos, oriental tattoos depict traditional symbols from Asian cultures, including Japan, Thailand, China, Indonesia and India.
The oriental style can be traced back thousands of years in Japan, Thailand, China, Indonesia and India. At that time, tattoos were used for spiritual, cultural and ceremonial purposes.
When tattoos first originated in Japan, they were solely worn by criminals to identify each other. They were also worn as a symbol of rebellion. As time passed and the introduction of sailors brought new techniques to the country, tattoos became a way for everyone to express themselves.
In China, tattoos were often worn only by members of the upper class as a way to show off their status and wealth. The tattoos were also worn to protect the wearer from evil spirits.
In India, tattoos were initially worn as jewellery that no one could take. Prominent among the ancient tribes, tattoos became more popular amongst the general population as time passed.
In Thailand, the history of tattoos is strongly linked to the Buddhist religion and monks. Traditional Thai tattoos (known as Sak Yant) have been around for centuries but became more popular in the 1990s as they spread to other countries.
Tattoos in Indonesia were developed by ancient tribes in Borneo. However, with the introduction of Christianity in the 1950s, the traditional style (hand tapping) of Indonesian tattooing nearly died out. Today, however, tattoo studios in Indonesia still proudly offer the traditional method.
Characteristics that make oriental tattoos different from other styles include:
Some of the symbols and motifs popular amongst oriental tattoo designs include
The different types of oriental tattoo ideas and styles include
If you’d like an oriental tattoo, book an appointment at your nearest Celebrity Ink studio.
