Glossary15 January 2026 · 1 min read

Tribal

Tribal refers to tattoos with geometric and curvilinear patterns in solid black, inspired by the traditions of different peoples. As a Western style, born in the 1980s-90s, it is a graphic reinterpretation and does not coincide with the original traditions.

Why it matters: The term is very generic: the originating traditions have their own names, meanings and rules and should be distinguished from the modern style.

Related: Blackwork, Polynesian, Packing, Lining.

Guide4 min readReading a style: six elements for looking at a tattooStyle labels help find one's way around, but they say little on their own: two tattoos called the same thing can be very different, and a work can sit between two styles. This guide proposes a method for looking at a tattoo by observing six concrete elements: line, colour, contrast, composition, depth and subject. With these elements the families of styles can be recognised, what is seen can be described, and one can understand from which traditions and influences they come. The styles mentioned have a glossary entry; here the interest is in how to look at them.

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Tribal

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