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We′ve curated some of the most exceptional Guamanian Tattoos that is sure to win you over with their ancient artistic beauty. Ready to get your fancy tickled and explore?
Tattoos range from creative interpretations to realistic remembrance pieces and are as diverse as the people that walk through the doors of a tattoo business.
Art forms around the world have no limit, the canvas, the beauty, the intricacy, the details, everything that makes a tattoo aesthetic and artistic, has a wide range that finds inspiration from all corners of the world. These different styles of artform have also been a part of the ancient Chamorro society and continue to thrive to date.
The Chamorro or the Guamanian culture has created and inspired such beautiful body modifications (in this case, tattoo designs) that it′s mesmerizing and so hard to look away from. However, Tattooing is a more apparent current activity in Guam than in previous activities.
The indigenous residents of the Mariana Islands have numerous artistic tattoo designs that speak of the diverse and beautiful Chamorro people, the Chamorro language, their islands and more and also has a modern touch to their art form.
So we′ve brought together some of the most elegant, stunning and creative tattoo designs from the Chamorro culture. These tribal tattoos have bold and dark colours, thick lines, and incorporate Guamanian or Chamorro techniques, traditions, and symbols. We can assure you that you′ll not be disappointed when this short list ends.
A Contemporary Blend Guamanian Tattoo
Though Guamanian Tattoo is a diverse and popular form of tattoo art in this era, Guam′s finest have modern and contemporary blends, together they make for beautiful body modification or body art. These contemporary blends include Hawaiian, Polynesian and Filipino tribal arts.
Many Chamorros prefer to have their islands, the sea animals, their culture of weaving incorporated into their tattooing, resulting in creative and stunning tattoo designs that are both ancient and modern in style.
In this contemporary blend of Chamorro, Hawaiian and Filipino, the tattoo artist created one of the most intricate Guamanian tattoo designs. The spearheads, shark teeth and other intricate patterns are elements of the Hawaiian tribal art, while the island motif is a part of the Chamorro tattoo designs.
Such complex sleeve tattoos are massively popular seeing as they are culturally elegant, visually appealing and speak of the diversity in ink of the Chamorro people.
Beautiful And Nuanced Guamanian Tattoo For Sleeves
A body modification has a more permanent nature compared to other such modifications. However, Chamorro society was known for their tooth staining but there is no evidence that confirms that they were into tattooing.
Hence, the Guamanian tattoo designs have a modern and contemporary element. While most of them are blended with more ideas from other tribal tattoo styles.
In this piece, the Polynesian blend with the Chamorro or Guamanian tattoo designs stands out beautifully. Every detail of the spearhead patterns, the ocean wave and the bold, dark thick lines make for a stunning sleeve tattoo.
Ideal for men who prefer cover-ups that are elegant, ostentatious.
Blackwork Chamorro Seal Tattoo With Polynesian Design
In Guam history and in the present, the Guam people usually employed tattoos as symbolic gestures, statements of affection, or even a memorial to a revered figure. Typical Pacific Ocean pictures feature repeated graphics or extremely simple line drawings of birds, fish, waves, dolphins, shark teeth, etc. were used to create such beauties by traditional Guam tattoo artists.
However, in the modern era, these same patterns and graphics and symbols that represent Guam and the Guamanians, feature contemporary elements. There is so much diversity in their art.
In this gorgeous piece, the artist replicated the Guam Seal. The oval shape is designed intricately with repeated designs of spearhead patterns and other chain-like patterns that represent oceans, sharp-edged motifs and floral designs in the midst. The curves blend smoothly with the contours of the skin, making a half-sleeve design. The entire modification process is tattooed as a part of Guamanian tradition.
Mixed Chamorro And Polynesian Tattoo
You′ll often find tattoo artists mixing one style of tattooing with another to create a beautiful blend that highlights the body art tattoo in such a way that onlookers often want to explore the world of tribal tattoos and create blends of their own. These elements often include Filipino, Polynesian with Chamorros.
Such tattoo designs have so much possibility and create so many opportunities for tattoo artists to get creative and for tattoo enthusiasts to explore.
In this piece, too, the artist explores intricate patterns inspired by Polynesian society. We are all aware of the beauty a Polynesian Tribal Tattoo holds. The repetitive spearhead patterns, the complex curved lines and fish designs create a unique fashion of art tattoo for Guam life or Guam Tattoo.
Guam Island Tattoos
Since there is no evidence of Guam′s history or tattoos or explain their beliefs in Guam art tattoo, one can conclude that simple a tattoo design that features an Island is another design that comes from the modern catalog of Guam Tattoo.
It just might explain the process of modern tattooing that Chamorros often feature.
In this unique piece, the artist creates an island scene framed with the oval seal of Guam. Further enhancing the look are the intricate designs and the knotted bamboos that make for a beautiful frame for Island in the midst.
Ideal for a half-sleeve, this beautiful design will not disappoint.
The Guam Seal Guam Tattoo
This stunning piece done in black ink is the replica of the Guam Seal.
The Guam Seal is the oval feature of the Guam flag. The Guam Seal′s oval design depicts the traditional Chamorro sling stone, a weapon masterfully used by the Chamorros. Overall, the traditional characteristics of the Guam flag represent the Chamorro people’s power and resilience.
Here, the artist created a sleek, smooth and neat version of the Guam Seal with the darkest tone which gives the tattoo an edgy and enhanced tribal look, highlighting the importance of using dark tones seeing as there are rarely any other colours used in a Guam Tattoo.
The Simplest Guam Tattoo With Repetitive Graphic Designs
This piece of art is one of the simplest yet beautiful Guam Tattoo one might come across. Highlighting the contours of the legs and the hips, this unique vertical pattern created with repetitive spearhead shapes and shark teeth patterns is chic, simple and definitely holds Guam elements.
One of the legendary Guam art root from the Guam caves and include two human figures. This cave art root from the legendary stories of Guam Chieftains.
We can see the same two figures etched in this piece, right at the top of the tattoo design, representing Guam or Chamoru culture.
Delicate Guamanian Hook Tattoo With Floral Designs
This delicate tattoo incorporates curvy lines and twisted patterns to create a hook-like pattern. The tattoo is further enhanced with the incorporation of tropical flowers, adding a beautiful feminine touch to the tattoo.
While the hook-like pattern is done in bold and thick lines, the flowers are created with thin lines and shaded lightly.
Ideal for the leg piece, such Guamanian tattoo designs are sure to gain onlookers attention and fetch you many compliments.
Chamorro Turtle Tattoo
Ancient tribal tattoos denoted family or a way of life. A continuous row of shark′s teeth or arrowheads, for example, represents protection and strength. Everything you need to survive. Because we value the ocean and how it surrounds us, those animals are used in art.
The Green Sea Turtles are one of the most common species found in the waters of Guam, making them one of the most popular animal tattoo designs.
In this simple piece, the artist used unique, sharp-edged and complex-looking patterns to create a turtle. The stunning beauty of the overall tattoo design will appeal to many tattoo enthusiasts. In the tribal culture, turtles are known for their strength and stamina, hence making for ideal tattoo designs for men and women who deal in work that needs strength.
Guam Seal With Polynesian Motif Tattoo
This simple Guam Seal is done with black ink and features a small version of the seal in the middle while each side of the seal has delicate Polynesian patterns.
The arrowheads have been used repetitively and make for pretty patterns common in Polynesian art.
With that, the small list comes to an end. Chamorro Tattoos have become a significant part of their culture and are widely acknowledged and sought-after. It will continue to thrive and now you can become a part of the Chamorro Tattoo world with your own collection.
Feature image from Pinterest
