Native Americans: How did they tattoo their body and what did it represent to them?

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The native americans tattooed their skin with sharp bone or rock, that space, that is, the wound, was filled with natural inks that were permanently engraved on the skin. At this time tattoos had multiple purposes and had different meanings for each culture.

Native Americans practiced tattoos, and this was his way of representing loyalty and fidelity towards the tribe. In some cases it meant a connection with nature or the region in which they were located. Many times the tattoos were spiritual symbols because they believed that it gave them power and strength.

Others used symbols that were emblems of guardian spirits that were tattooed as protection. Also, They attributed to the tattoos healing powers that were applied to the bones, joints and sore organs thinking of promoting their healing.

Tattoos were practiced by both men and women and children alike. In the case of women, women were marked by their status and rank. Also when they got married, had children or other important occasions throughout their lives.

The men who were warriors showed the marks of their tribe on their bodies because they were honored with new tattoos placed to symbolize achievements in battles.

Next, we will see some of the most common Native American tattoo designs among them: tribal tattoos, different representations of animals such as eagles, ravens, wolves, bears, arrows, dream catchers and feathers, natural elements such as the moon, sunflowers, the sun, etc.

Native American Warrior Tattoos

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Native American warrior tattoos originally they served as intimidation in battle. It gave them power, strength and was a protection amulet.

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If you want to get a warrior tattoo today is surrounded by magic, ancestral wisdom, a halo of shamanism . It will give you full protection.

Native American tattoos on women

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Tattoos for Native American women the main objective was the strengthening of family relationships.

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they used them as an amulet to distinguish oneself from other tribes.  Also to protect all the members of your family from the obstacles and adversities of life.

Native American Wolf Tattoos

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Within native american tattoos find the wolves tattoos. This animal is associated with bravery and virility. For the American Indians it is a highly revered animal and it was a spiritual guide that offered protection and fidelity to his herd.

Also, they were admired for their strength, for their great capacity, their wisdom, and because they taught the tribes skills. It was considered a totem animal. He was a spiritual guide and played a very important role in Native American culture.

Native American tattoos with dream catchers

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This design is the most popular choice as dream catchers have become very common all over the world. Not just as tattoos, but because represent good luck charms and eliminate all kinds of negative energies.

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Legends say that whoever has a dream catcher in their room, is a bearer, has good dreams and nightmares go away.
There are several different designs to the traditional image but the base is a specific pattern inside a hoop. This can be replaced by a heart or the shape of an animal, with the addition of feathers and different decorations.

Native American Arrow Tattoos

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Arrows were the preferred instrument of Native American warriors and hunters. They used it to defend themselves and kill if necessary.

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The arrow tattoos They have a lot of meaning, but the most important is the symbol that represents protection, direction and perseverance.

Native American Feather Tattoos

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For the native American peoples, feathers had a very important symbology since they they represented the eternal rebirth of life and the immortality of the soul.

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As well they represented the spirit of birds and they were widely used in rituals and ceremonies to purify the place with positive energy. They were widely used tattoo designs to symbolize wisdom and spiritual communication.

Something important to keep in mind is that the feathers of the different birds had their own meanings. Eagle feathers represented courage and bravery, which is why they were widely used by warriors in battles.

Eagle Native American Tattoos

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In this tattoo we see the eagle that symbolizes bravery and courage. The eagle is an animal that represents a great symbolism within the tattoos of the Native Americans. These animals were in charge of carrying messages to the gods. They also had a power to protect the tribe and the entire lineage.

The totem animal within indigenous culture is a way of representing each tribe with its lineage, its history, the relationship with the gods, the rituals with the land and with the ancestors.

Eagle tattoos
Related article:
Eagle tattoos and their meaning revealed

Within the tattoos of the Native Americans, not much detail is known about the meanings because they did not allow the entry of strangers to their religious ceremonies. They also didn't give much information about their spiritual knowledge or how their tribe lived.

Tattoos were almost a secret language among the early Native Americans. They deciphered their symbolism without saying a word, since they could know everything about the Indian only by looking at their tattoos.

They could tell which tribe he belonged to, his status, his rank, his family and clan, his spiritual beliefs, just from the tattoos he had and where they were on his body.

Native Americans used many different animal designs in their tattoos. Those considered totems were sacred to the very spiritual natives and each tribe had a specific one.

These animals were sacred and the spirit of each one was something passed down from generation to generation. Many times each family used the totem to identify themselves. It was the way families were identified in those days.

To finish, we have seen some designs that the Native Americans used to cover their bodies for different purposes. Also, you have learned a little about its history and now you can choose the design with which you have felt identified to wear it on your body and honor your ancestors.


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