21 Cherokee Indian Tattoo Ideas: Honoring Culture and Tradition in Ink (2024)

FAQs

Do Cherokee have traditional tattoos? ›

A Conversation with Mike Crowe from the Museum of the Cherokee PEOPLE. Before the development of the Cherokee written language, tattoos were used to identify one another in historic societies, and were especially prevalent among warriors, who had to earn their marks. Tattoos were also used during ceremonies.

While some people argue that it is a form of cultural appropriation and disrespects the traditions and beliefs of Native American cultures, others believe that it is a way to honor and celebrate the rich history of these tattoos.

Permanent skin tattoos have been practised in India for more than a century. The ancient maze-like designs discovered on rocks going back to 1000 B.C. were eventually adopted as permanent marks on the body parts of some tribal people in India.

American Indian tattoos were applied using sharpened bone, rock, or another whetted object. The skin was pricked, and the design scratched in. The carvings were filled with soot and other natural dyes—like crushed up berries, plants, and minerals—used as ink.

Rituals after death

Seven is a spiritually significant number to the Cherokee as it is believed to represent the highest degree of purity and sacredness. The number seven can be seen repeatedly across Cherokee culture, including in the number of clans, and in purifying rituals after death.

What is the symbolism of the Cherokee Nation seal? The seal of the Cherokee Nation was created by an executive Act under Chief Lewis Downing in 1869. The Act calls for the seal to contain a seven-pointed star inside of a wreath of oak leaves, symbolizing the eternal flame of the Cherokee people.

You don't have to originate from a certain tribe or belong to culture to get this tattoo type. But for tribe members, drawing on their bodies is about symbolism. Each tattoo has a specific meaning, which is why it might be offensive to get one just for its design.

Polynesian tribes, such as the Maori of New Zealand and the Samoans, are well-known for their intricate and meaningful tribal tattoo designs. Similarly, Native American tribes, African tribes, and indigenous communities in various regions have their distinct tattooing traditions.

“You can get whatever you want on your body, but you have to understand the significance. Each line, each mark, is made with a purpose.” The consensus is clear; it is inappropriate to get tattoos meant to be practiced by Indigenous cultures, especially if one is not educated on the meaning and tradition behind them.

Henna, also known as mehndi, is one of the oldest forms of art. You could call henna the first temporary tattoos. From wedding festivals to religious ceremonies or even for simple adornment of the body, henna is used all around the world but has been traditionally used in Indian culture.

What does the dot tattoo mean in India? ›

In Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism the bindi is associated with the ajna chakra, and Bindu is known as the third eye chakra. Bindu is the point or dot around which the mandala is created, representing the universe.

A kolam or muggu is a geometrical line drawing composed of straight lines, curves and loops, drawn around a grid pattern of dots.

Men decorated their faces and bodies extensively with tribal tattoo art and also painted themselves bright colors in times of war. Cherokee women didn't paint or tattoo themselves. The Cherokee were farming people. Cherokee women did most of the farming, harvesting crops of corn, beans, squash, and sunflowers.

While India ink is natural, non-toxic, carbon-based, and less likely to cause infection, it still isn't the best alternative for tattooing. This affordable option will not provide you with the same quality of tattoo and will not hold up as well in time as professional tattoo ink.

India ink is a suspension of carbon black particles in a medium (such as ethylene glycol) and is commonly used in pens for writing, drawing, or epidermal tattooing. India ink also has a long history of clinical use as an anatomic marker for surgery and radiotherapy.

The Tlingit, Haida and other Northwest coastal peoples, for example, wore hand-poked family crests as a sign of social status, lineage and relationships to natural and supernatural events. “There were therapeutic tattoos that were applied to primary joints to relieve arthritis,” he said.

The Cherokee national symbol is a 7-pointed star. Each point represents one of the seven tribes that make up the Cherokee Nation. The use of a star is said to reference the Cherokee's undying fire and passion.

The Red-tailed Hawk is said to be a protector spirit of the Cherokees and is therefore considered sacred. Tail feathers were and are used ceremonially.

Today, the Eastern Cherokee maintain traditions of music, storytelling, dance, foodways, carving, basket-making, headwork, pottery, blowgun-making, flint-knapping, and more.