Traditional croatian tattoo

Photo Credit: Traditional Croatian Tattoos. My interest in this topic started as a quite personal thing. As a tribute to my grandmother who passed away two years ago.

Weekly price range:. Air conditioning. Internet access. Heated pool. Pet friendly.

Traditional croatian tattoo

Tattooing of the hands was a widespread tradition among Catholic Croatian women in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Ottoman rule centuries ago. This tradition originates from the places once occupied by the Turks and its purpose was to prevent young, Catholic women being kidnapped and converted to Islam. Tattooing symbols on the hand however dates even further back than that period. The custom was mostly revived during the reign and fear of the Ottoman Empire, when Christian symbols were used for protection. The cross also has its variations in the form of a small pine tree. The kolo circle , a motif taken from the kolo dancing in the villages, were also tattooed, which symbolised togetherness. According to historians, youngsters, usually girls, were being tattooed between the age of 12 and Some were tattooed even younger. Today, the traditional tattoos are becoming popular again and one person who is keeping the traditional alive the traditional way is Melissa, a year-old tattoo artist in Paris. Born to a Bosnian father from Croatia and a French mother, whom he met whilst she was holidaying in Dubrovnik, Melissa grew up in the south of France. After studying applied arts and architecture for 7 years and working as a freelance architect for 4 years in Canada and Paris, she decided to change direction and become a tattoo artist. Passionate about ethnic tattoos, Melissa is keeping the tradition alive the old way without using a machine but only needles. We caught up with her to learn more about her back story and how she is keeping the tradition alive.

The Greek historian Strabo 1st century BC mentions tattooing as a custom of inhabitants of the area corresponding to present day Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Still, it is. Traditional symbols are connected to Christianity and the custom itself is even older and can be traced centuries back in history around these areas. A thousand years long tradition of tattooing their hands, to Croat women in Bosnia and Herzegovina still brings back memories. They had been tattooed as little girls, some obliged to and some expressing their wish. This tradition originates from the places once occupied by the Turks in the time of the Ottoman Empire. Its purpose was to prevent the kidnapping of young Christian women and their conversion to Islam. Still, the idea of writings and symbols on the body originates from an older period.

Today, traditional Croatian tattoos are experiencing a resurgence in popularity, with many people seeking to learn more about the history and symbolism behind these unique designs. During the Ottoman presence in Central and Southern Bosnia in the 15th and 16th centuries, tattooing became a significant cultural practice among Catholic Croatian women, especially in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The tattoos, particularly on their hands, were not just an art form but were seen as a mark of their Christian faith. They believed these tattoos would serve as protection, making them less appealing to Ottoman soldiers because of the visible display of their Christian identity. As the years progressed, the custom of traditional Croatian tattoos evolved, with many designs incorporating Christian symbols. Today, traditional Croatian tattoos remain popular, and many tattoo artists are dedicated to preserving this ancient practice, often blending traditional motifs with contemporary styles.

Traditional croatian tattoo

Lauren Simmonds. September 3, September the 4th, — Traditions abound across Croatia and vary from region to region, they come in the form of everything from food to wine to folklore costumes and superstitions. Did you know that traditional Croatian tattoos also have a very interesting history behind them? Traditional Croatian tattoos have roots which go very deep, the practice itself is either referred to as sicanje literally: to prick or sometimes bocanje, and it is generally believed that the practice predates not only the arrival of the Slavs to the wider Balkan region, but also Christianity itself!

Webcivil supreme

Discover the magic that emanates from the archaic tattoos The ritual of tattooing is a centuries-old tradition of Croatians, which was practiced mainly in the central and southern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but could also be found in the Dalmatian hinterland and even in areas of Lika and Slavonia. Even the simple tattooing needles were found in tombs of those days. Need help? Traditional symbols are connected to Christianity and the custom itself is even older and can be traced centuries back in history around these areas. We caught up with her to learn more about her back story and how she is keeping the tradition alive. These women were often family members - grandmothers, aunts or mothers. The Privacy Policy. The balkan community in France is pretty small and French people are really curious about this culture. As a tribute to my grandmother who passed away two years ago. A lot of people wrote to me to thanks me because they learn new things through my content. Marija plans to start work on a PhD in September in the area of cultural heritage and human rights. I prefer to keep an intimate environment and not be disturbed during the tattoo session. Each time I post about these symbols, I explain their origins, I also have a special highlight story on instagram where people can read in French and in English the meaning of these symbols. In Kraljeva Sutjeska Bosnia , you can admire a special variant of the cross among the inhabitants which is composed of a cross with branches and four dots. Article Talk.

Tattooing of the hands was a widespread tradition among Catholic Croatian women in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Ottoman rule centuries ago. This tradition originates from the places once occupied by the Turks and its purpose was to prevent young, Catholic women being kidnapped and converted to Islam.

Especially for women and their body appropriation. There were also some workshops for tattoo artists and also a work of young researcher Tea Turalija , who is trying to document as much as possible cases of women who are still alive, to record their stories and to take photos of their tattoos. People believed that it had an influence on the pigmentation of the tattoo. It was a painful procedure according to the older women today, but they say mostly it was worth the pain. As a tribute to my grandmother who passed away two years ago. I see a lot of tattooists using these symbols without mentioning where they are from. All the more remarkable is the fact that it does not resemble the Latin cross. It is usually larger and can complement other motifs, but can also appear as isolated. The Privacy Policy. I came back to France and I was consumed by my daily architect routine. Maybe I could integrate the tattoo in this adventure now that I am more free in my activity than when I was an architect. The traditional tattoos of Croats - Learn more about the variety of motifs.