Are you fond of scribbling? Not on paper, but on your body? Well if you are, then you will definitely fall in love with the Filipino culture. It’s full of amazing rituals with the most prominent one being the Filipino tribal tattoo ritual. In this article, you will learn about Filipino tattoos and their symbolic meaning in Filipino culture.
Don’t forget that getting inmersed in a new culture is one of the biggest steps into learning a language.
So let’s get started!
How Do You Say Tattoos In Tagalog?
The Filipino translation for word ‘tattoo’ is “tato” or “pinta sa katawan” . However, the the word “Batok” specifically encompasses indigenous tattoos of the country.
Insights Into The Filipino Tribal Tattoo
Filipino tribal tattoos have gained popularity and are being accepted by the locals. This wasn’t always the case, especially when Catholics originally came over to spread the gospel. They found the Filipino tribal tattoo tradition repulsive and a sign of sin. Nowadays, it is not such a big issue and it’s quite popular to get a tattoo.
If you want to get a Filipino tribal tattoo in the Philippines it’s not as hard as you think and the tattoo design is quite simple. You can get them relatively cheap and prices may differ based on the different tattoo artists, tattoo inspiration, cultures, or ideas.
Some people also get Tagalog swear words tattooed on their bodies, however, they are very few in number.
How Is The Art Of The Filipino Tribal Tattoo?
The essence of the Filipino tribal tattoo design and the Filipino way of tribal tattooing comes from Spanish influence during the 1500s.
The bold and traditional tattoos represent human ethics and the symbolism represents the style of bravery, courage, and strength.
During those times presented the facts about their heredity traditional tribal Philippines culture, and places they occupied which have marked a cultural significance and are a body art inspired by family, tribes, and symbols of heritage.
Here’s What Really Matters In Filipino Tribal Tattoo
Filipino tribal tattoos can reflect your desires and the things you wish to achieve. Filipino tribal tattoos meaning is based on previous ancestors’ culture and heritage. They showcase bravery, passion, personality, and goal-oriented skills which could be intertwined with yours. The tattoos are also supposed to bring positivity into your life.
How Is The Traditional Filipino Tattoo?
Many people fear that getting a tattoo will hurt a lot, but techniques and strategies have changed, so it doesn’t hurt as it used to before.
Traditionally, tattoos were created using the tapping method. Charcoal would be hammered into pieces using a thick spike from the lime bamboo tree. The bamboo roots would be used to squeeze the charcoal into the skin, although this is incredibly painful and it’s not for the weak-hearted.
Where To Get A Tribal Filipino Tattoo Design From?
You can find them online, in local tattoo shops, or in small marketplaces in the Philippines.
Thirteen Best Tribal Tattoo Designs And Their Beliefs
The best Filipino tribal tattoos of different designs, sizes, and shapes represent Philippine traditions, history, meaning, and the search for future outcomes.
The designs cover the integral parts of the body, namely the neck, shoulder, and arm.
1. Tribal Philippines Wolf Tattoo
It is very common to have Filipino animals as tattoos and the most common tattoo of an animal is of a wolf. The wolf Filipino tattoo design symbolizes loyalty and leadership within a pack. The chief of the tribe wears this tattoo and also the accompany of the group of elders wear them to symbolize the power and ability to lead.
The wolf shape design of tattoos also accompanies ferocity and the need to protect others in the same family as its way of Filipino tribal tattooing structure is extraordinary.
2. Philippines’ traditional tattoo (Burik)
Many of the known traditional Filipino tattoos design are known as Burik; they are incorporated in a complex intricate tribal tattooing design that uses several layers and intricate patterns and designs utilized by using natural environments such as trees, rivers, and rocks.
3. Sun Tribal Tattoo
This Filipino design has been inspired by the west and contains straight lines and patterns of different styles. Moreover, the sun tattoo gained fame and popularity in the mid-90s, and the tattoo design is still trending in this current generation.
4. Lion Tribal Tattoo
Lion tribal tattoos mainly symbolize leadership, courage, and pride. A meaningful design and patterns would summarize the best you to come, represent your ancestor’s legacy, and truly know yourself, creating the fearsome potential you have and the pride you were destined to have!
5. Turtle Tribal Tattoo
The turtle tribal tattoo represents symbols of patience and strength and is for those who have a decisive mind and can handle extreme conditions, and know how to solve upcoming problems. It symbolizes that turtles are slow and steady in the beginning but they are the winners at the finish line.
6. Filipino Hawaii Tribal Tattoo
The Filipino design with the most powerful symbols comprises patriotism and Filipino heritage. These designs are mostly put on the legs and will improve your social status amongst the Filipino community and the Filipino heritage background. It is a popular style and consists of black ink patterns.
7. Scorpion Tribal Tattoo
This Filipino design is for those who have been aggressively strong and utilized their anger and don’t like to be controlled by others, and are forced to do stuff that they don’t like. It is best for those whose zodiac sign matches this tattoo; these are for those born in October and November.
8. Shark Tribal Tattoo
A tattoo with a unique twist will represent the mystery of the sea, enduring any sort of pain, and gaining full independence. They don’t need anyone to help them pick themselves up. A unique design and one of its kind, if you match up to the apex predators then this tattoo is definitely for you.
9. Cross Tribal Tattoo
This tattoo based on Christianity and is typically put on the shoulder.
10. Owl tribal tattoo
The wisdom owl is filled with mystery and extraordinary silence, for those who know everything within a community but are silent in every critical situation making them the most mysterious beings.
The vision of the owl represents its behavior towards different surroundings and when to act and when to react.
11. Eagle Tribal Tattoo
The eagle is the king of the bird of prey species and one of the most fearsome nature predators of the sky. The eagle tattoos are known for symbolizing freedom and flight.
The eagle Filipino tattoo also symbolizes an opportunist ready to commit to a chance of any work whenever given the time or setting a chance on any event.
12. The Tribal Bull Tattoo
The bull’s symbolic design is of aggressiveness and a strong body, along with a willingness to attack and counterattack no matter what problems or issues may continue to occur in the future. It represents the will to continue further, no matter what.
13. The Tribal Snake Tattoo
The snake tattoo represents a cycle of rebirth and fertility. This Filipino tribal tattoo is far different from other tribal tattoos, and it has a very deep and powerful meaning in cases of vengeance for those who hurt others and punishment for the wicked and cruel.
Practice These Sentences When You’re Getting Your First Filipino Tattoo
Did you enjoy the example sentences above? Many of the words are from basic Tagalog vocabulary, so you can follow along. While you’re practicing these words, make sure that you’re not just reading them but also learning how to pronounce the Tagalog words, even if they look hard.
Commonly Asked Questions About Filipino Tribal Tattoos
What Is The Meaning Of Filipino Tribal Tattoo Waves?
The symbolism of the Filipino tribal tattoo waves is the mark of the immigrants who came to the Philippines. This tattoo is also known as the Four Waves (Apat na Alon), where it symbolizes the Afro-Asiatics; 2) Malay-Polynesian, 3) Deuteron-Malays, and 4) the Spanish settlers.
What Tattoo Symbolizes The Philippines?
There are different tattoos that the Filipinos use to symbolize their loyalty to the Philippines. For older-generation Filipinos, it can be from a tribal tattoo, a clan tattoo, or just a family tattoo. Many of these tattoos look like animals, shapes, waves, lines, and warrior marks. Most of the symbolism shows power, bravery, courage, loyalty, beauty, balance, and more.
Can You Have A Tattoo Of The Philippine Flag?
Although we do feel your nationalism and loyalty by deciding to get the Philippine flag as a tattoo, there are some restrictions when using it as an artistic rendition. According to Section 34-F of Republic Act 8491, “It shall be prohibited to add any word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawings, advertisements, or imprint of any nature on the flag;”
Although it is a tricky topic to talk about, many Filipinos living in the Philippines or another country still get the Philippines flag as a tattoo on their body.
Would You Ever Get Those Tattoos?
That’s it for this blog. Congratulations on learning all the important parts of the traditional Filipino tattoo in the Philippines. Now you are ready to take on any discussion on the best tribal tattoos. If you want to learn Tagalog then looking up the Ling app is a great option. You can also check out Daily Life In The Philippines and the Philippines Independence Day.
Happy learning!
