The Maori tribes in New Zealand used facial tattoos, Moko, to show affiliation to a tribe, individual rank and lineage. Many New Zealanders today are choosing to use both Maori and Celtic tattoo designs to reflect their mixed heritage, although their art work is usually on the body rather than the face.

In Laos, Thailand ‘tattoo trousers’ were used to identify a person’s origins. The ‘trousers’ were also thought to make the ‘wearer’ invulnerable, the lozenge shape also symbolised the female genitals, representing fertility, revitalisation and life itself. Although people in the Western world do not usually opt for tribal cross tattoo art which is just confined to the legs or ‘trouser’ area, the traditional Laotian ‘trousers’ tattoos were from the waist to just below the knees, there are leg tattoos which cover similar areas.

In Burma the body was divided into twelve separate areas, each with its own magical function. Images of animals were tattooed onto the ears and throat, while peacocks, tigers and mythical creatures were tattooed onto the shoulders and arms.

Ancient Egyptian women were tattooed on the hands, feet and face as well as the arms and other parts of the body, including tattoos of bracelets around the upper arm. Upper arm tattoos are increasingly popular in the west, although these are more generally of Celtic designs.

Intricate geometric tattoos were commonly used among peoples of the Philippines, although geometric tattoos are not very popular nowadays as the designs can become distorted and warped by the shape and movement of the skin.

Celtic tribal cross tattoo art can be used to express a person’s Celtic heritage. These tattoos are interwoven lines which represent knots, mazes, spirals and other figures. They are generally tattooed in black and are popular for both women and men as the size can be adapted to suit different parts of the body. Some of the Celtic tribal cross tattoo art has specific meanings, such as the brother symbol which is represented by arrows which denote virility, an arrow can also be found as a sun ray which ancients used to symbolise the warrior.

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