Body painting involves applying various colors onto the human body using specific methods. However, this form of art is limited in duration and can easily wash away. As a result, people have devised ways to preserve their designs for longer periods. The practice of tattooing emerged from this necessity. Tattooing means creating designs on the skin and leaving marks or impressions that are then colored, ensuring the pigments do not fade away.
In many primitive tribes around the world, the practices of tattooing and body painting have been used interchangeably. Archaeologists and anthropologists suggest that the customs of body painting and tattooing date back to at least several decades before the Upper Paleolithic period, evolving into a unique form of primitive art. From this artistic foundation, one can glimpse aspects of the religious beliefs and social customs of primitive peoples. They regarded body painting and tattooing as extremely important and sacred activities, serving as a vivid reflection for modern individuals to explore ancient cultures.
What purposes do primitive peoples have for body painting and tattooing?
Some speculate that these practices may originate from totemism or ancestor worship. Based on existing anthropological research, there are real examples of body painting or tattooing where it is noted that primitive peoples often tattoo or paint their bodies with their tribe’s totem, a common phenomenon. In the minds of primitive people, the tribe’s totem does not merely symbolize ancestors; rather, it represents the most revered deity. Therefore, they adorned themselves with these designs in the belief that they would receive divine protection.
According to ancient records, local inhabitants living on islands near the Toliesi Strait in Oceania would paint a line from the tip of their nose to their forehead and from the spine down to their waist. These designs symbolize their totem, the Merfolk (marine mammals). In contrast, the ancient Southern Chinese people who worshipped dragons often tattooed dragons onto their bodies. For the Papuans, each tribe has its own unique tattoos. If someone imitates another tribe’s designs, it can lead to disputes, ranging from arguments to violent confrontations, and potentially even war.
Another reason for body painting and tattooing is rooted in certain religious or magical purposes. Different designs carry different meanings. For instance, Australian Aboriginal warriors paint their bodies red when going into battle and white during funerals, seeking protection from spirits. Almost all shamans and priests of Aboriginal tribes in Australia use body painting during rituals; failure to do so may lead to perceptions of ineffectiveness, losing the trust of their communities, and ultimately resulting in failure.
Additionally, body painting and tattooing can reflect different social statuses among people. For example, older members of Papuan tribes often paint their bodies black and tattoo their arms, thighs, and chests, while younger individuals typically use red for body painting and facial tattoos.
In the Ainu community, large and straight patterns represent individuals of relatively high social status, while small and curved patterns indicate lower social standing. However, many scholars believe that the customs of body painting and tattooing among primitive peoples stem from humanity’s innate appreciation of beauty, with other interpretations arising later. Historical accounts reveal that Maori women in New Zealand tattoo horizontal lines under their chins and on their lips upon reaching adulthood, as they believe red lips are unattractive. For men, marrying a woman with red lips is considered a significant disgrace.
With the development of society and the advancement of human civilization, in modern and near-modern primitive tribes, the motivations for body painting or tattooing stem from various needs related to religion, culture, or personal expression. Thus, it is challenging to simply attribute these complex phenomena to singular causes.
Many scholars who have studied body painting and tattooing customs assert that primitive body painting and tattooing practices are closely related to clothing, hairstyles, and even the evolution of ancient jewelry. The earliest forms of clothing may have been influenced by body painting and tattooing. However, as society gradually evolved, the influence of clothing grew stronger, while the practices of body painting and tattooing began to decline.
Today, in modern large cities, body painting and tattooing mainly persist in theatrical performances, festivals, and among a small number of youths who enjoy self-expression. Many individuals partake in body painting and tattooing simply out of curiosity. Yet, the intricate designs and mystical patterns continue to captivate people, inspiring artists to draw many ideas from this rich tradition.
