Tattoo and Body Art of Africa

Body Art may have become a popular fashioncivilization is being studied and worked upon to
statement in the recent times, but its origin hascreate excellent patterns and styles for the latest
been traced to many ancient times and has beentrends.
very popular in different regions of the worldThe most popular style is the Celtic style which
among various cultures and tribes. It has beenwas of the U.K origin. Since Christianity was the
seen that every culture and race in the world hasreligion of the founders of the Celtic style, the
something unique about it that gives it a uniquedesigns and patterns are greatly influenced by this
identity. Body Art or Tattoo has been one suchreligion. It has many designs of the holy Cross and
form which has been exclusive to that particularalso the tree of life and the design of the Holy
tribe or race of people.Trinity. Celtic tattoos are mostly simple in design
Men and women both sported such body art andand hence are completed in one sitting at the
the designs and patterns created were usuallymost. They look great in dark ink.
symbolic of their gods or other divine forms thatSimilarly the African body art has also been driving
they used to worship and follow. Some designsthe modern fashion industry by craze. This is
were also believed to have marked battles orbecause of its unique symbolism and rugged
ancestral relationships with their gods orstyles and looks. Most of the African tattoo arts
forefathers and sometimes of reincarnation.include:o Symbols of ancient African Gods which
Women would get tattooed, often after theirwere believed to be saviors and guardians of the
marriage to mark their dedication to their husbandhuman souls from evil and unnatural spirits. These
and children. Thus a persons body art used to tellwere especially worn by the people of the tribes
a lot about the person.to guard themselves against the evil spirits
However the body art patterns differed fromthroughout their life.o Sometimes the tattoos also
region to region and from tribe to tribe. This isdepicted scarification and supernatural states of
because every civilization has its own cultures andthe humans. They were tattooed to signify
traditions, and accordingly has its specificpower of the inner self of man.o The men wore
symbolization which were depicted throughtattoos and designs that depicted courage and
tattoos and body art. For example the tattoos ofbravery. The wearer was also taken to be brave
African origin differed greatly from those of theas the inscription of the body art involved a lot of
Mayan or Polynesian origin. But in the modern daypain in those days.o Most of the African tattoos
as the cast and race barriers have broken down,bear the symbols of animals, mostly the deadly
the different patterns and designs of differentones, which symbolizes courage and power of the
origins are being merged to create great tattoosman equal to the strength of the animal.
and body art. The art styles of every ancient