TATTOO CULTURE

2026 has arrived, and a new breeze is blowing through the halls of tattoo studios. While bold contours and loud colors once dominated, this year’s focus has shifted toward emotional connection, hyper-detail, and natural elegance. But what exactly are people choosing to wear on their skin this year? 1....

Ancient China was a vast, unified territory inhabited by a rigorous and advanced society, yet deeply divided by immense social disparities. Amidst the countless struggles for survival, evidence of tattooing practices among Chinese tribes can be found dating back to the 1st century BC. The term for...

Siberut Island is a secluded jungle paradise located about 60 miles west of Padang, Indonesia. Although part of the Mentawai Islands—known to the world as the “last frontier of surfing”—Siberut remains extremely difficult to reach, especially if one wishes to visit the Mentawai people: a...

The tradition of tattooing across India is rich and ancient, spanning thousands of years and deeply integrated into the spiritual and social lives of numerous tribes and communities, often serving purposes beyond mere bodily decoration. Tattooing is viewed not as a transient adornment, but as a permanent...

Nowhere else in the world, in any other country, do the traditions of tattooing include a religious festival held annually, except in Thailand. In this region, tattooing touches the soul, connected as it is to Buddhism. Every year, thousands of tattoo enthusiasts from all over the world visit the Wat...

The complex of traditional Thai Buddhist monasteries and temples called Wat Bang Phra showcases the city’s magical tattoos, known as Sak Yant. Located 48 kilometers from Bangkok, in Nakhon Pathom in central Thailand, Wat Bang Phra is the Mecca for aspiring magical tattoos and hosts the world’s...

THE MAGICAL TATTOOS IN THAILAND The magical tattoos, called “Sak Yan” in Thailand, are based on ancient texts of the Khmers, a combination of magical numbers and mythological characters created by the Hindus, which are believed to imbue special powers. They were originally used only by...

I know there are some people who want to learn how to tattoo or envision their future as a tattoo artist, opening their own studio, and turning their hobby into a profession. However, they feel this would be a very difficult path and have no idea how to start on this career. The fear of never being able...

New Guinea is the world’s second-largest island, and though its landmass nearly equals that of California, it remains one of the least urbanized nations globally, with only 18% of its roughly 6 million inhabitants residing in cities. Remarkably, Papua New Guinea boasts an astonishing linguistic...