Kalinga tattoos are becoming increasingly popular, and rightly so! They feature unique designs and traditional patterns that give you a sense of wonder. These designs have a lot of symbolic and cultural meaning for the people of the Philippines. Furthermore, these tattoos can also represent positive themes, such as courage. At first glance, these designs seem to be from any ethnic group. However, they are also inspired by nature. If kalinga tattoos have piqued your curiosity, this article is for you. Scroll down to read the meaning behind these tattoos and check out some truly beautiful body art ideas. Read on!
Meaning of Kalinga Tattoos
Kalinga tattoos have a rich history. The tattoo design originated from the Kalinga tribe in the Philippines. These intricate tattoos are also called Batok and have a very rich cultural meaning. They were traditionally tattooed using thorns and bamboo sticks. They were originally worn as symbols of bravery.
In Kalinga culture, tattoos are earned through courageous acts. They mark important milestones in a person’s life. Each tattoo design has a specific meaning. Even today, Kalinga tattoos are cherished as a form of cultural preservation. They are now made using tattoo guns, but the design has not changed. The main inspiration for the tattoos comes from nature. You can see waves, sun, wind, and trees hidden in their designs.
8 Awesome Kalinga Tattoos
If you are impressed by the cultural history of Kalinga tattoos and would like to look at some designs, we are here with some unique tattoos to inspire you. Read on!
1. Kalinga Tribe Tattoo
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Let’s start with a tattoo that is both simple and striking. This band or bracelet tattoo is for those who like smaller tattoos. While Kalinga tattoos are naturally elaborate, this tattoo can be scaled down to cover just a portion of your wrist. The design features many wave-like patterns that are easy on the eyes. You can customize the side of the tattoo and even get a band with the same design tattooed on your upper arm.
2. Forearm Kalinga Tattoo Design
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This tattoo is perfect for those who want a full sleeve or forearm tattoo. The beauty of the tattoos is that it starts below your knuckle and goes as high as you want. The intricate lines fill your entire arm with thin black lines. The designs are usually borrowed from nature. They can be waves, mountains, trees or even fire. Your tattoo artist can take elements of your choice and have them tattooed in the Batok style.
3. Kalinga Hand Tattoo
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When it comes to Batok art, one of the most popular places to get tattooed is the hand. Most people with a higher pain tolerance have tattoos on the back of their hand. You can get this design on the back of your palm if you want. It has some geometric design elements and the rest are designs inspired by nature. The black ink makes it a perfect tattoo for all skin tones.
4. Kalinga Philippines tattoo
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This tattoo is for those who want a traditional Kalinga tattoo for themselves. The design consists of elements such as fire and mountains drawn in the typical tribal style. The design follows slats of tires. You can get it inked by a professional using the traditional bamboo ink method or get it inked with a tattoo gun. If you want, you can also get the design inked on your leg instead of your sleeve.
5. Hands and Knuckles Kalinga Tattoo
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Before you finalize this design, we want to tell you that the closely spaced bones and nerve endings will not make your ink very comfortable, but if you can tolerate the pain, then you can get this beautiful traditional tattoo on the back of your hand. The design is very intricate and uses floral motifs such as vines to cover the negative space. It also uses black ink to fill in the tattoo. This is perfect for those who love tribal art styles.
6. Leg Kalinga Tattoo Design
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This tattoo has a design mix of Kalinga style and modern tribal design. This is a perfect body art for someone who loves contemporary tattoos with a touch of tradition. Unlike traditional band tattoos, this tattoo is like a rectangular patch that covers your front thigh. You can also get it tattooed on your shin or calf. The use of black ink and shading gives the tattoo even more depth.
7. Kalinga Tattoo Patterns
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If you want to go minimalist with your Kalinga tattoo, we have you covered. One look at this tattoo and you’ll want it! It’s simple, but you’ll always get compliments on it. It can be tattooed on any finger or fingers if you want. You can have it go around the finger like a ring or just cover the top of it. You can choose which element you want to have drawn in the Kalinga art style.
8. Kalinga Traditional tattoo
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This is a perfect tattoo for those who are dedicated to this art form. It is spread across the upper back and follows a pattern in the shape of a V. There is also a strip that runs along the spine and small geometric patterns are inked on it. The tattoo consists of geometric patterns and boxes that are very intricately inked.
Getting a Kalinga tattoo is more than just body art. It is a piece of cultural history that you carry with you. You can experiment with different designs and get them tattooed in the traditional art style. Although the traditional art form uses sticks and bamboo, it can be recreated with modern tattoo guns. However, if you want, you can get them done the traditional way by authentic Batok artists. The more you research designs, the better you will get an idea of what kind of tattoo you want.
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