Tattoo in Anatolian culture, from symbolic, meani̇ng and healing aspect

ABSTRACT Human body is one of the main factors of those have been explained through various themes for many years. At first, human body was returned to forms of other creations of nature, then the gain of body on the artistic creation was affected by developments of technology and biology. While the different appearances and transformations of human body has been the main subject of art works, it also was the first toile of people. The body is the first area where people reacted on, also; it is the first point where people realized to be themselves. For everyone, their own body is the mirror of themselves, it shows who are they. The marks on the body are the extensions of the internal distresses and thus, people expects to control of their own distresses. The symbols and marks those were engraved on body and the pain which was felt are the screams that could not found in voice when the speaking is not possible. It is the other way to communicate or want to communicate. The marks those were formed on people's bodies are the invitations to society which they become a part of, for an effort to be themselves. This is a figurative act. In primary periods, people have used their bodies as an object for their wishes to become true. Also, they have used their bodies to perform certain magical rituals. Humanity is always inspired by nature, afraid of things those beyond of their understanding, embodied the things those could not defined and created symbols on the way of word to image. In other words, the things those could not be seen have become to visible representations. People have ascribed a meaning to abstract concepts to get through with things' reasons could not be known like fear, desperation, desire to know future and protect from malicious powers. Decorating the human body by using different materials and various ways has been continuing from earlier periods of history. Nowadays it is possible to see marks of tattooing tradition in eastern and southeastern Anatolia from the depth of history. The passwords of people's life are hidden in the tattoo motifs. The tattoo that mostly seen on women, is a symbol of elegance, nobility and beauty for woman while it is a symbol of potency and power for men. Tradition is closely associated with history and religious belief of district. The similarity of motifs and their meanings those had made in same area makes us think to motifs are the outputs of that area's common cultural pattern. In addition, there are other proofs different than tattooing to common cultural heritage which are hennaing, tinging with kohl, birth and death ceremonies, couple of magical rituals, incenses, having tooth out of gold and etc. In Anatolian geography, although tattoo symbols seem identical in different religions, ethnic groups, tribes and denominations, there are differences. The most important groups in this area are Yezidis, Assyrians, Arabs, Keldanis, Kurds and other tribes. Every culture has its own cultural heritage which are related to their own believes, social structures and past. Recent studies show that, young generations in Southeast area do not desire the traditional tattoo models. On the other hand, these models can be seen on their elder's body. The migration to large cities decreased the social influence when compared to country side. This caused people to lose interest in traditional tattooing or symbols which symbolize a religious group like "cross". Traditional tattoo models which are symbols of the mixed different cultures of history are a heritage of Southeast Anatolian people's rich culture. They contain deeper meanings, mysteries and secrets than they seem. Unfortunately, the last representers of this culture are fading away one by one.