Origins of Bamboo Tattoo

Bamboo Tattoo Kit

History as we all know has no exact or conclusive end. For all we know, it is based on facts, relics, archives, and sometimes word of mouth that survived time and gathered by historians and compiled to what is known to us as historical facts.

But here is certain. Bamboo tattooing had originated in South East Asia. A recent study believed that this art have originated in the Khmer period around 3000 years ago. Mummified remains of ancient tribe leaders in the Philippines have tattoos which suggested was done using bamboo tattooing technique. They are also known are the Fire Mummies of the Philippines.

Fire Mummies

A growing interest in the Western culture  in bamboo tattooing is becoming more popular. Hollywood superstar Angelina Jolie visited Thailand for bamboo tattoos. The actress has a traditional Khmer tattoo on her upper back and a large tiger on her lower back. Both of these have been done by bamboo and may prove an incentive for the next generation to learn bamboo tattooing before it is lost altogether.

Tattooed the Ancient Way

In Thailand, bamboo tattooing began in the Buddhist temples, with monks receiving religious text tattoos from grand master monks for protection. Throughout periods of conflict in Thailand, soldiers would visit temples to be tattooed by the monks with spells for such things as protection, strength or invisibility. One Thai legend states that Thailand has never been occupied as the Thai soldiers are warrior ghosts who cannot be seen or killed by the enemy due to their protective tattoos.