Haida tattoos have a distinct style recognized around the world. These tattoos offer artistic designs rich with cultural symbolism.
The Haida People
The Haida tribe is native to North America's Canadian west coast and are thought to be one of the oldest traceable peoples of the New World. Historically their artwork was a means to display clan crests, and today this influence can still be seen on carvings, prints and totem poles. When it comes to tattoos, Haida tattoos are nothing new. The Haida culture grew to be a highly tattooed people, and they were one of the first to ink in color using the colors red and black. Traditional Haida tattoos known as ki-da were worn on the forearms, chest, thighs, upper arms, feet and sometimes on finger sections or a person's back.
Haida Art
The Haidas are historically known as fearsome warriors. Their artwork, like that of many Native American cultures, often depicted crests decorated to incorporate animals and mythical beings based on the Raven or Eagle, which divided the tribe based on unilineal descent. A crest often showed the owner's lineage.
Ideas for Haida Tattoos
If you're looking for a Haida tattoo, historically there are almost 70 crests figures to choose from but today only about 20 are in general use. These symbols can be used invidually or blended for a unique tattoo. Here are a few other ways to incorporate the Haida influence into your tattoo:
The Great Spirit
In the Haida belief system, the great spirit Ne-kilst-Lass is the creator of the world and takes on the form of a raven. This design is often used on totem poles but is also widely used in Haida tattoos. In Haida mythology the raven can be a magician and is thought to be responsible for releasing the sun from tiny box. He is also depicted as helping humans. Tattoo ideas based on Haida's great spirit are as endless as your imagination.
Zoomorphic Haida Tattoos
Reincarnation was a part of the Haida culture. Animals were thought to be a special type of people with the ability to transform into human form. These zoomorphic animals were considered more intelligent than humans. This concept opens the door for creative tattooing that depicts an animal of your choice transforming into a human. Traditionally these animals reflected the Haida social order.
Matrilineal Lineage
Traditional Haida tattoos often depicted matrilineal lineages rather than partriarchol. Create a Haida-style tattoo that shows your line of descent from a female ancestor. This can include grandmother, mother, daughter and granddaughter. This unique type of tattoo is a perfect choice to honor the memory of those who have gone on before you.
Traditional Haida Tattoos
If you looking for a more traditional Haida tattoo visit the Tattoos Filter, which has a gallery you can use for inspiration. Traditional Haida crests when tattooed on the body where thought to give the wearer title to the symbol and its spirit. Crests symbolize power and prestige and the symbols were handed down from generation to generation. If you want to move away from crest symbols and go with more of a Haida mythological concept the following ideas can get you started::
- The end of good and evil
- Soul memory
- Creation including stars and planets
- Controlling rainfall on the earth
- A human finding their soul song
- Seeing the unseen
- Sealing an opening in the soul or energy leak
Choosing Your Tattoo
The Haida culture offers all kinds of possibilities for unique or traditional Haida tattoos. When you're ready to get inked, be sure to choose a tattoo artist experienced in the Haida style to ensure an authentic Haida look.
