Traditional croatian tattoo

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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.

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 traditional tattoos of Croats - Learn more about the variety of motifs.

Sicanje or bocanje was a widespread custom mostly among Roman Catholic Croat teenage girls and boys of the central regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina , as well as the Dalmatia region of Croatia. Tattooing of young girls and boys in Bosnia and Herzegovina is colloquially called sicanje or bocanje , and it was a widespread custom mostly among Roman Catholic Croats in the central regions. Also boys were tattooed with the same simbols mostly above the elbow on the right arm ,chest ,forhead and the pointing finger. This can be seen today, not only in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but among ethnic Croats from Bosnia and Herzegovina living abroad. Bracelet-like designs were sometimes tattooed around the women's wrists, either with crosses or a fence-like motif.

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.

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! Sicanje or bocanje, if you will , is widespread among ethnic Croatian women of the Roman Catholic faith in different regions, primarily in Dalmatia and also in parts of neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sadly, like many past customs, the tradition of tattooing girls and women ceased after the end of WWII, with only older women sometimes referred to as tetovirane bake , or tattooed grandmas seen with such tattoos.

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We mainly find these tattoos on the hands, fingers, forearm and sometimes the upper arm and chest. In , a documentary titled Sicanje, bocanje, tetoviranje aired on Croatian television channel HRT 3. The handpoke technic offers a different experience to the clients. Home » Latest » Traditional Croatian Tattoos. This tradition originates from the places once occupied by the Turks in the time of the Ottoman Empire. I opened my own private tattoo studio in September and it was the best decision of my life. If you ask them where this tradition comes from, they will most likely tell you that it goes back to the Ottoman Empire. Now I can totally express myself through my art and my creativity, I have meet amazing people. It is the only motif that could be interpreted as Christian. Toggle limited content width. 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. Ground floor bedroom. Wissenschaftliche Mitteilungen aus Bosnien und der Herzegowina.

Tattooing of the hands was a widespread tradition among Catholic Croatian women in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Ottoman rule centuries ago.

The kolo circle , a motif taken from the kolo dancing in the villages, were also tattooed, which symbolised togetherness. New geometrical design mixed with traditional symbols of a Christian cross as well as its true value assures that the custom is passed on. Pet friendly. The motifs are mostly crosses and nature symbols, which we present below: 1. This tradition originates from the places once occupied by the Turks in the time of the Ottoman Empire. This is a secret place I only send the address when someone books an appointment with me. Customs and folkways of Jewish life. Are any symbols more popular than others? How is it possible, when most articles prove that the tradition of tattooing among Croats flourished during the Ottoman Empire? Kids, and usually girls, were being tattooed between the age of 12 and 16 as a sort of the initiation, according to historians of these areas.