Monthly Archives: April 2011

custom freehand filipino tribal

custom freehand filipino tribal with baybayin names of his parents and siblings done in morbid tattoo parlor in cash and carry mall makati manila.

tattooed couple

1935 stamp of the philippines

The compass design is a popular maritimeÂ tattoo, reflecting the long history that has intertwinedÂ body artÂ and sailors, and is similar to theÂ nautical star in its symbolism. In the early age of sail,marinersÂ navigated their way through uncharted waters and unknown perils armed only with the stars at night, a compass to point North and there own wits to guide them.

The compass and the North Star were all that a good sailor needed to find his way in the world, hence both were popularÂ tattoodesigns. AÂ tattooÂ not only to help navigate the sea, but to make ones way through life. Some of the most popular compassÂ tattoodesigns are lifted straight off of old navigational charts.

U.S. Peace Corp Volunteer couple get tattooed in morbid tattoo parlor in cash and carry mall makati manila.

koi tattoo

The beauty and charm of the koi has made it a popular symbol for the family, especially in Japan where tubular flags designed as koi are raised on Children’s Day — black koi for father, flame red koi for mother, blue and white for boy, and pink and red for girl. On Boys’ Day Festival in Japan, each son in the family is honoured by a koi flag as an inspiration to the young that they might grow strong and resilient like this exceptional fish. American client gets a custom koi design with 4 cherry blossoms representing his wife, son and grandchildren, done in morbid tattoo parlor in cash and carry mall makati manila.

tribal tattoo

australian based korean national gets a custom freehand tribal design, done in morbid tattoo parlor in cash and carry mall makati manila

custom tattoo


While today it is possible to find some incredibly breathtakingÂ tribal tattoo designs, you’ll be hard pressed to experience the full, authentic art of the tribal tattoo experience in commercial America. Now, electric tattoo machines and high tech, high quality inks have replaced sticks, styluses, bone needles and plant dyes of the moderntattoo’sÂ ancient ancestors. ModernÂ tattoo artistsÂ have replaced theÂ shamanÂ and medicine folk of old.


There were three major factors that took the practice of tribal tattooing from the realm of art and into the plane of the spiritual:Â Pain, Permanence and Loss of the Life Source (blood). This mystical trio elevated the tattoo from mere art and transformed it into a chance to draw people into a relationship with God, a god, magic powers, or a trance or vision state.


To Identify Clans, Tribes and Families

Marriage Tattoos

Rites of Passage
Ancient adolescents approaching maturity would often come under the prick of the tribal tattoo point before being socially accepted as an adult. A woman who couldn’t bear the pain of a tattoo would be unfit for the impending pain of childbirth – making her unacceptable for marriage. A young man who couldn’t take it would be seen as unfit for battle or hunting, often dooming him to the role of outcast. Today, many teenagers eagerly await (or don’t wait) their eighteenth birthday and celebrate their entrance to adulthood by getting a tattoo.

Totem Animal Guardianship
Many tribal tattoos were administered as proof of the power of certainÂ totem animalsover the lives of those they chose to guard and bless. This was especially true amongst Pacific Northwest Native American tribes and the Druids and Celtic people of the British Isles. Being bestowed with a totem animal guardian was a two-fold blessing- not only would you gain the strengths and abilities of the totem animal, but the tattoo also served as a mysterious link between the animal spirit and the bearer of its marks. Different animals provided different strengths and virtues to theirÂ receiver. Today, animal tattoos are wildly popular. Lower backs, upper backs, shoulders and arms abound which have been decorated with gentle butterflies, fearsome dragons, and deadly scorpions in hopes that these creatures’ merits will take hold.

Magical Reasons
Probably the most documented and understood of the magically charged tribal tattoos was for the purpose of love spells and charms. These tattoo magicians would mix special herbs and potent concoctions to their dyes and would apply the tattoo to a small, generally hidden area to activate the magic. Generally, these tattoos were kept hidden because it would be foolish for an old married woman to go around wearing the marks of a foolish youth. Today, who doesn’t know someone who knows someone with an ex’s name tattooed somewhere, whether they’ve covered it or removed now or not? The rich, spiritual folklore still survives today. Tribal tattoos are being given in droves, to people as different from one another as night is from day. You can find a tribal style fairy, Hawaiian themed designs, African inspired prints, and Celtic crosses (both pagan and Christian), and even Maori facial tribal art. But it appears that the ancient superstition still prevails.Â Client gets a custom tribal tattoo, done in morbid tattoo shop in cash and carry mall makati manila.

nationalistic tattoo


korean special force army gets a custom angel and demon wings a balance of good and evil, done in morbid tattoo parlor in cash and carry mall makati manila.

invisible tattoo

nationalistic tribal tattoo

canadian client gets a custom filipino tribal tattoo design, done in morbid tattoo parlor in cash and carry mall makati manila.

friendship wings

korean best of friends gets a custom black and gray wings tattoo design, done in morbid tattoo parlor in cash and carry mall makati manila.