Cultural exoticism is consecrated by the inspiring thrust of Taino tattoos. These enigmatic indigenous designs contain great power through their ancient origins and dazzling nature.
For a viscerally auspicious style, nothing can trump the wonders of Taino ink.
This ancient art comes from an aboriginal group known as the Arawak people. These proud warriors hailed from the Caribbean islands during the 15th century, and their striking tribal imagery lives in infamy to this day. these immortal creations are capable of summarizing every element of humanity’s spiritual existence.
The legacy of Taino tattoos is most visible in the history of Puerto Rico. the official logo of this island is actually made up of unique artwork from the tribe. The coquí is an enduring emblem of pride and patriotism for the people of this nation, and revolves around a symmetrical combination of the sun and a frog.
Taino tattoos can also incorporate some of the gods that are an integral part of Arawak folklore. these bold depictions evoke the unfathomable energy of a long-lost shamanic practice. other recurring icons include eternally entwined lovers and the duality of twins. tons of local creatures have also been replicated in his unique style.
Get in touch with a legendarily exquisite heritage by perusing the following library of tantalizing Taino tattoos!
This large black and gray shoulder and chest tattoo uses several different Taino designs to create an interesting piece. Well-saturated black ink is used for the background of this piece, which increases definition and helps negative space elements stand out. the taino sun god is depicted on the chest by the artist using well applied stippled shading to create stylistic contrast to good effect. Above the sun is a negative space frog, another key character in Taino myths. The inclusion of the familiar thatched palm pattern adds another layer to this interesting piece and helps complete this Taino tattoo.
These simple black tattoos are clean and well-executed examples of traditional Taino pictographs. the first piece is a bird, often associated with masculine traits such as strength and bravery, and the other is a frog, a common character in Taino myths. the black ink is fully saturated and contrasts nicely with the wearer’s skin tone and helps these designs stand out. the outlines are clean and precise, giving the impression that these small tattoos were stamped. The charming little tattoos will serve as a permanent reminder of the wearer’s cultural heritage.
This shoulder piece uses black and gray shading as well as a bright but limited color palette to create an interesting Taino inspired tattoo. the sun god is on display, but here the artist uses black and gray shading, as well as lines and white ink for highlighting, to effectively create the impression that the design is carved in stone. this technique works well and references the traditional Taino use of petroglyphs. The addition of a coqiu frog, a species native to Puerto Rico that is often depicted in Taino art, using red, white, and black provides a contrast to the other parts of the tattoo and almost gives the appearance of three dimensions.
This is an interesting black and gray piece that uses Taino imagery and incorporates other tribal patterns. In the center of this chest is a stylized adaptation of the pictograph depicting the Taino sun god. the large thatched roof design within the sun uses black and gray shading to create texture and is reminiscent of the layered palm fronds so widely used in tropical regions. The other standout feature of this tattoo is the way the top of the piece extends around and over the shoulder, conjuring up images of a snake’s or gecko’s tail. this piece is a good example of how Taíno imagery can be incorporated with other tribal elements to great effect.
Here is an interesting tattoo inspired by the Taino story of the ceiba tree and its mythical power. the artist uses elements of new school designs such as an illustrative style, bright colors and bold but limited line work. excellent black and gray shading is applied to create the twisted and twisted trunk of the tree which contains different taino characters inside it – most of the tree is made of a grimacing mask but there is also a sun and a frog hidden in the details . The piece is finished off with well-executed watercolor-style foliage in red, orange, and yellow that really helps to pop the entire tattoo.
Frequently asked questions about Taino tattoos
Did the Tainos have tattoos?
The original inhabitants of the Caribbean region of North America were a people called the Taino. while they did not have a written language in the classical sense, their vibrant culture was shared through the use of pictographs and petroglyphs that were masterfully drawn and engraved on the surrounding rocks and trees, as well as tattooed on their skin. These unique designs tell the story of the Taíno’s deep relationship with the natural world around them and heavily feature the animals that were so essential to everyday life.
These tattoos were worn by Taino men as a way to harness the power associated with these animals. Along with animal designs, Taino tattoos also used different geometric patterns that played a role in their cosmology and creation myths. one of the most important of these pieces is the sun.
what does the taino sun mean?
The sun is perhaps the most important aspect of Taino culture and mythology, and as such features prominently in the artwork of this fierce island people. Also known as “the sun of Jayuya”, this design owes its name to the town in Puerto Rico where it was found and represents the sun god in the Taíno tradition. the most important deity in daily life, for the tainos the sun was a powerful god who inhabited the cave of mautiatibuel along with the moon, and provided life, strength and health to the people, as well as sustaining the central agriculture of island life. without the sun the plants would not grow, they would not be able to fish and the life of the Tainos would stop; no wonder this image figured so prominently in their artistic traditions.
