Traditional Tattoos Without a mention of Bundelkhand’s folk art, the topic of tattooing would seem incomplete. Tattooing is a form of body art, prevalent among tribal and indigenous communities. Tattooing is the pinnacle of a person’s artistic passion. Enduring the prick of a needle to enhance physical beauty demonstrates the importance of tattooing. Women’s love of jewelry is the inspiration for tattooing.
Many folk beliefs are associated with the tattooing process, linked to mythological, historical, and religious connections. Traditional Tattoos Tattooing has a long and unbroken tradition. Early humans created cave paintings and rock paintings, but over time, the idea of body art emerged through scratching or pricking marks on a part of the body.
Tattoos were created to weaken or eliminate the influence of supernatural powers. Women are the ones who most often tattoo. Men typically choose to have their name, a flower, or a deity depicted. Women tattooed their bodies for body adornment, as a protective magical symbol for witchcraft, or to awaken fertility and cultivate a sense of motherhood.
Tattoo symbols evolved over time. In ancient times, the sun and moon were tattooed. After the agricultural era began, wells, stoves, baskets, rice grains, mangoes, betel nuts, palm trees, and other symbols were depicted. With the development of architecture, tattooing also evolved, including temples, urns, and domes.
It currently has a deep connection with acupuncture. According to Verrier Elwin in “Myths of Middle India,” a legend prevalent among the Gond tribe…
The origins of traditional tattooing are traced to a mythological tale. Lord Shiva once invited all the gods to a feast. A Gond god also attended the feast with his wife. All the goddesses were seated in one place. When the Gond deity was about to leave, he placed his hand on Goddess Parvati’s shoulder, mistaking her for his wife, and asked her to leave. This mistake enraged Goddess Parvati.
Mahadev Shankar, aware of this mistake, began to laugh. However, Parvati’s anger remained unabated. Finally, he devised a plan to prevent this mistake from happening again. Parvati established distinct tattoo designs for each caste. She had these designs tattooed on women’s body parts to distinguish them. From then on, women of all castes began getting tattoos. Thus, tattooing became popular worldwide.
Tribes believe that this world is mortal. After death, all material things remain here. Only the tattooed ornamentation goes with them to the afterlife.
The first ingredient used for tattooing is the milk of the milkweed plant. There is also evidence of tattooing using the black gum of the Sarai tree. Thus, early tattooing began with temporary natural means. Later, the process of injecting chemicals like Dudhi, Akoy, Toria, Biya, Bhilwan Kajal, etc., through needles, into the skin beneath the first layer, was invented.
Tattoos are applied to exposed parts of the body. It is prohibited to apply tattoos to areas covered by cloth. The tattoo artist is called a “Gudnari.” There are many tattoos that are inked across all castes and tribes. Tattooing has been around forever, with numerous theories underlying them.
Humans always have a desire. They constantly seek means to fulfill that desire. Tattooing is a reflection of that desire. Tattoos are permanent adornments, enhance social prestige, protect from supernatural powers, enhance beauty, keep the body healthy, increase fertility and libido and display the mythical relationship between nature and humans.
Here’s a breakdown of traditional tattoos of India, categorized by region, tribe, and cultural practice:
1- Tribal Tattoo Traditions
A– Gond Tribe (Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra)
Tattoos are called- Godna
Purpose- Religious, protective, and beautification.
Common motifs- Peacocks, scorpions, flowers, geometric shapes.
Placement- Arms, legs, forehead, chin.
Meaning- Tattoos are considered sacred and believed to protect from evil or illness.
B– Baiga Tribe (Madhya Pradesh)
Distinctive for- Heavily tattooed women.
Symbolism- Passage into womanhood, tribal identity, protection in the afterlife.
Designs- Intricate lines and dots covering large portions of the body.
C– Santhal Tribe (Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar)
Tattoos signify- Status, achievements, or rites of passage.
Common symbols- Birds, animals, tribal deities.
2- North India
A– Rajasthan & Uttar Pradesh – Godna Tattooing
Performed by- Lower-caste or nomadic tattooing communities like Nats and Kanjar.
Purpose: Adornment, marital status, caste identity, religious devotion.
Common motifs- Dots, lines, deity symbols (e.g., Shiva’s trident, lotus, sun).
Popular among- Women, especially on hands, arms, and feet.
3– Eastern India
A– Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha – Godna & Tribal Tattoos
Godna practice- Strongly associated with Dalit and tribal communities.
Meaning- Tattoos were thought to be the only possessions one takes after death.
Designs- Spirals, dots, elephants, fish, combs (symbolizing femininity and fertility).
4– Western India
A– Gujarat – Rabari Tribe
Tattooing is part of- Female initiation rituals.
Designs include- Scorpions, camels, decorative patterns, religious symbols.
Tattoo placement- Neck, arms, legs, chin, around the mouth.
5– Southern India
A– Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka – Yantra & Religious Tattoos
Known as- Pachai kuthu (Green piercing).
Purpose- Spiritual protection, identity, connection to deities.
Designs- Om (ॐ), Shiva’s trident (Trishul), eyes of god, sacred animals.
Used by- Devotees, especially in rural and temple-associated communities.
6– Northeast India
A– Apatani Tribe (Arunachal Pradesh)
Practice (now banned)- Facial tattoos and nose plugs in women.
Purpose- To make women less attractive to rival tribes who raided them.
B– Naga Tribes (Nagaland)
Tattoos signify- Bravery, headhunting achievements, warrior status.
Designs: Geometric, aggressive motifs.
Only men who killed in battle could get certain tattoos.
Tattoo Tools & Methods (Traditional)
Instruments: Sharp needles, thorns, or iron tools.
Ink- Made from soot, cow urine, turmeric, plant extracts.
Process- Often painful, with healing aided by herbal pastes.
