The importance of joining a tribe has been part of human existence from the very beginning. Tribal community was the best insurance for life, and those who did not belong to the tribe faced the harshest conditions of existence.
The expression of allegiance to a particular tribe has taken many different forms over the years. Body painting with a chosen tribal totem icon was often a way for people to declare their connection to the community. A more permanent method of scarring the skin was the source of tribal tattooing.
This practice has evolved from tattoos to marking the body with other badges. Images of celestial bodies, animals or other significant characters have become part of tattoo art. Many times markings have been used in this way to indicate a person's position in a tribe, or as a way of representing marriage and paternity.
The practice of using tribal tattoos is still in use today, and not just in the undeveloped regions of the world. The gang tattoo ritual is an extension of this practice for many of the same reasons. The status of a gang member is often indicated by a tattoo, as is the depth of his devotion to the gang. Feats of bravery are marked on the body of a gang member, just as they were in the early days of mankind. This concepttattoos has always been a part of life in human society.
Here is a gallery of cool tattoos, enjoy.
