Traditional Croatian Tattoo Design: Teespring Campaign

Christian tattooing in Bosnia and Herzegovina was a widespread custom among Roman Catholic Croatians during the Ottoman rule over Bosnia and Herzegovina (1463�1878) and up until the 20th century.Croats would tattoo their children in order to save them from Turks who kidnapped them in Ottoman Bosnia, while Croatian women were tattooed in hopes of protecting themselves from being taken away by Turkish men into captivity. Tattooing became widespread after the Ottomans would take children into captivity and send them to Turkey where they were trained to be soldiers or servants.�They believed this practice would at least let people know they were once Catholic before undergoing a forced conversion.Today, these symbols have been revived among many young Croatians who have roots from Bosnia Herzegovina. The tattoos look stunning and we would like to now share the designs with the world and the beautiful meaning behind them.

Last Updated: 5 years ago