Since the beginning of time, humans have sought out ways of self-expression. The common link for many cultures and times has been the art of the tattoo. In specifically, tribal patterns for tattoos have been found used throughout countless cultures and in many different contexts. What one is compelled to acknowledge then, is that tattoos, especially those in tribal patterns, have been a stable of self-expression for thousands of years.
One of the most common styles of tattoos used for self expression has been the Maori tribal tattoos. What makes Maori tribal tattoos expedient in exhibiting self-expression is that nearly any specific picture or symbol can be imbedded in the typical arm wrapping tattoo. This enables one to have both a unique symbol of self-expression as well as a unifying design from history, thus linking both the past and the present together.
The top five reasons to explain why people most often get tattoos can be summed up in the following:
1. To display one’s love and/or commitment to another person or relationship.
2. To display one’s love and remembrance of a lost friend, relative, hero or pet.
3. To mark the beginning, end or milestone in one’s life.
4. To show and mark allegiance to a certain selective group, such as a gang, fraternity or military company.
5. To show their interest in tattoos themselves, e.g. getting a tattoo just because one likes tattoos.
What all five of these reasons have in common is the theme of self-expression. Tattoos are a way to public display what one is personally feeling on the inside, and what better way to do such an act than by choosing a tattoo that links both the historic trek of humanity and the current passions of mankind, such as Maori tribal tattoos do?
Other tribal patterns would be chest tribal tattoos; leg tribal tattoos and even tribal shoulder tattoos, all of which continue the historic journey of mankind’s endeavor for self-expression. The idea is that, while every person is different and unique is many different ways, they share in the same heritage and to truly express oneself one needs to also connect oneself in some way to their past. Tribal patterns for tattoos do just that.
Self-expression comes in many forms. Some people exercise, others paint, play music, sing, collect special items, race cars, participate in body building, and the list could go on and on. There is put one problem with all these modes of self-expression, they are but temporary. One day collections will turn to ash, cars will break down, muscles will deteriorate, voices will go, and skills will diminish. Tattoos, however, will last forever. They are a way of self-expression that cannot be silenced. Tribal pattern for tattoos are especially timeless as they not only feel each and every need for self-expression, but they also have the unique ability to tie one to all those who have gone before yet still allow one to leave his or her own mark in the world.



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