Body Art in India from Traditional to Modern
There are two distinct tattoo cultures in India. The most prominent is from the Hindu community which is based on a caste system even though this system is declining. These tattoos usually signify the subordinate position of women from within this social structure.
Certain tattoos on Indian women can also represent fertility or to ward off bad spirits. Young women were often encouraged to be tattooed as it was believed to add to their attractiveness.
There are many different tattoo symbols within the Hindu tradition such as:
Lotus blossoms - Associated with happiness.
Swastika - An ancient symbol which is opposite to the nazi swastika.
Dots - These are quite common and are believed to ward off the evil eye.
Hindu men were generally tattooed less than women particularly if they were of a higher caste. Tattoo designs such as the scorpion were done to attract good luck. In the larger urban areas lower caste men were heavily tattooed with a mixture of Western style tattoos alongside more traditional Indian tattoos.
India has experienced massive growth in the past few years particularly in the information technology sector. This boom in technology and rapid modernization has brought changes in the lifestyles of many Indian who not only want to retain their Indian culture but also want to have modern Western culture. As a result India is experiencing a surge of interest in Western tattoo culture.
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