list of tattoos you need to stop stealing from other people’s culture’s because you think it’s “indie”
dream catchers: (not only is it appropriative of some Native American cultures, it’s also the least well thought out idea ever. Dream catchers take in bad energies and dreams, and now you’ve taken them into your body. Congrats.
Mandala: Sanskrit. A spiritual symbol associated with West/South Asian religions such as Hinduism and also Buddhism. Also I’m so over seeing that one mandala off google on people. GET A DECENT ENOUGH ARTIST TO DRAW SOMETHING ORIGINAL.
Om: Sanskrit. Another spiritual symbol associated with West/South Asian religions such as Hinduism and also Buddhism.
Unalome: The origins of this symbol seem to stem from Asia and is used by those who have attained Nirvana.
Yin and Yang: A symbol used by Taoism.
Swastika: Although originally a spiritual symbol found in Hinduism, it was of course appropriated by the Nazi’s. You might think you’re “cool” or “edgy” attempting to “reclaim” the swastika- but if you’re not Hindu, Jewish or Rromani you have no right to reclaim a symbol of hatred still used to incite fear today.
Sugar skulls: From Dia De Los Muertos (day of the dead), a cultural festival from Mexico. Don’t get it if you’re not Latinx.
Sexualised Geisha’s/native american women/women with sugar skulls etc: Do I really need to explain why sexualising images from other cultures is wrong?
Those skulls with Native American headdresses on them that I see everywhere: If you’re not from a Native American culture don’t do it.
Hindu Gods/Goddesses: If you’re not Hindu then they’re not your gods to appropriate the image of… I’d have thought that pretty obvious but there you go.
“”””””Tribal””””””” tattoos: These are stolen and appropriated from actual native cultures that use paint and tattooing to create an image specific for their culture. Often appropriated from Polynesian/Hawaiian/East Asian cultures.
Moon and star: A commonly known Islamic symbol. Don’t do it if you’re not Muslim.
Star of David: if you’re not Jewish don’t do it.
Hamsa: Also know as the hand of Fatima. Originates from the Middle East and found in Jewish, Islamic and other cultures/religions from around the area.
Henna/Mehndi designs: Used by West/South Asian cultures and religions often before marriage ceremonies. Don’t use henna either.
Ankh: An ancient Egyptian hieroglyph for “life”.
Hebrew, Arabic or Sanskrit text: These are actual texts used by their respective cultures, not “pretty languages I saw on google one time”. If you want a pretty looking language, go for Runes or Elvish or something.
Buddha/Buddha head: If you’re not Buddhist you know the drill don’t do the thing… Also getting a decapitated head of Buddha is just plain rude and insensitive to the culture too.
“G*psy” woman: The word first and foremost is a slur and the image is usually a racist stereotype of Rroma people.
Geishas/Ninjas/Koi fish/other Japanese symbols: Again, not Japanese? Don’t do it.
Chinese/Japanese/Korean characters: Someone else’s language is not your “aesthetic”.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it includes some of the most common ones I see. Open to corrections and additions! (Unless they’re white ppl complaining about them not being able to appropriate without being called out anymore)
gamechangershow
gracieabrams
turnnoffyourmind
yousharknotpass
vaporwave
jimmyeatworldofficial
dailybridgerton
romaincrisis
kianamaiart
