Tattoos have an interesting tradition in Korea: for centuries, permanent body art was considered inappropriate for the working class or aristocracy, and was only practiced by those on the fringes of Korean society.
However, as tattoos became more accepted into Korean culture in the 20th century, a new generation of tattoo enthusiasts is finding unique ways to reinvent the art form with traditional Korean design elements.
Part of this project is an interpretation of ornamental objects called norigae, which roughly translates to “playful objects” or “decorative ornaments.” In this article, we explore the meaning and aesthetics of norigae and look at how tattoo cultures in Korea, Japan, and other countries have adopted the design.
The history and meaning of Norigae
Before we look at how norigae and tattoos have become associated in recent years, we need to go back to the origins of the norigae craze in Korea. Here, we’ll take a closer look at norigae designs, meanings, and how to wear norigae in the traditional sense.
Foundations and Background
Norigae has been around for centuries, so understanding its importance requires more background. To understand norigae, it helps to have a basic understanding of Korean traditional clothing, primarily hanbok.
Hanbok is a complete garment consisting of a vest, jacket, and trousers for men, while women wear an underskirt, shirt, and light trousers over the jeogori. Norigae has traditionally been used as an accessory to accompany the hanbok costume, especially for women.
These ornaments consisted of intricately knotted strings, interwoven charms, and tassels that added length and elegance to the ornaments. These were tied around the high waist of the skirt to add a touch of glamour to the hanbok, as well as bring good luck and wealth.
Norigae has been widely accepted throughout Korean culture for centuries, regardless of a person’s class or background, and is still found today in a variety of costumes and, more recently, tattoos.
Types of seaweed
The most interesting thing about norigae is that it is simply a form of design that is open to interpretation: there are many different knots, materials, ornaments, and more, so it is up to you to put your own unique twist on the norigae form, either literally or figuratively.
Color is a key element in any Norigae design, whether it be deep red thread, jade gemstones, pieces of gold or silver, or even representations of animals or natural elements. Many Norigae designs include floral or geometric patterns, while others are very simple and feature only a few patterns.
Religious symbols, characters, and everyday objects are also part of many Norigae designs. Ultimately, you can choose any type of design you like as long as it is visually appealing and meaningful to you.
Norigae tattoos: trends and techniques
Norigae’s versatility makes it perfect for customizing designs and sets the stage for a fantastic, memorable tattoo, which is why the trend has caught on so quickly as Korean culture transitions towards a more modern identity.
Let’s explore why the Norigae tattoo style is so popular and how people are getting Norigae designs inked in their own unique ways.
Why Norigae Tattoo?
Considering the structure and meaning of norigae, it makes sense that this design has become a staple of Korean tattoos as the culture has changed.
When you think of your favorite tattoo motifs, you’ll find that their meanings are rooted in history, pop culture, religion, and family structure. For example, people in the United States proudly wear designs that feature symbols of faith, family memories, and loyalty to organizations like the military and cultural movements. This concept is not so different from norigae, a broad symbol of respect for Korean culture and traditions.
Additionally, norigae feature attractive designs and allow plenty of room for customization, making them a great form of tattoo. While many designs follow a familiar structure, it’s rare for two norigae to be perfect mirror images of one another. This means that each norigae tattoo is truly unique, allowing the wearer to input their favorite colors, shapes, symbols, and other elements that are important to them.
Finally, it’s worth noting that tattooing in Korea, at least in its contemporary accepted forms, is a relatively new phenomenon, and those who get tattoos in Korea and abroad are often looking to maintain a cultural connection rather than simply adopting the latest trends from elsewhere.
There’s something to love about all kinds of tattoos, but norigae evokes a sense of familiarity and comfort that many Koreans like to keep close to their hearts.
Popular Norigae tattoos
There’s no denying that norigae designs make great tattoos, but what are some of the popular ways to get this traditional decoration tattooed onto your skin?
Many norigae tattoo designs have a few things in common, but the first thing you’ll notice is that most are on the smaller side. The norigae shape lends itself well to smaller tattoo designs, as it highlights the subtlety and delicacy of the decoration.
Secondly, you will notice that many Norigae tattoos use a thick black ink and a limited range of colors such as red and sometimes blue, green, gold, etc. This is true to the original Norigae color set and matches the usual colors of ink preferred by tattoo artists.
Finally, norigae tattoos are often inked on less visible parts of the body, such as the upper back, shoulder blades, upper arms, sides of the torso, and upper thighs. This probably has to do with the history of tattooing in Korea and the fact that many people do not want their tattoos to be visible in their daily lives.
Of course, there are no specific rules about where to place your norigae tattoo, what colors to choose, or other design elements to choose. These are just some common findings in modern norigae tattoos.
Tips for getting a Norigae tattoo
If you are fascinated by Korean tattoo designs, you are not alone, as this is one of the most popular tattoo designs these days with the rise of Korean popular culture on a global scale.
But if you want a high-quality Norigae tattoo that will last a lifetime and exceed all your expectations, there are some tips you should follow: Anyone can get a Norigae tattoo, but these recommendations are sure to work.
Find Korean Artists
Anyone can design and apply a norigae tattoo, but if you care about authenticity, consider finding a Korean tattoo artist who is knowledgeable about the designs.
This ensures that the tattoo will be close to the original material and allows the Korean tattoo artist to have a better idea of what looks good in the norigae format. An experienced tattoo artist is always available to help you create unique designs and bring the technical aspects of the art to life with greater skill.
Fine lines and details
In terms of technique, Norigae traditional tattoos are best done with great attention to detail and extreme precision. As this tattoo is reminiscent of delicate ornamentation, thick and bold lines are usually not suitable for this style.
Of course, you can also look at Norigae tattoos from a different angle and request a design that incorporates elements of other tattooing techniques, such as neo-traditional, blackwork, photorealistic, etc.
However, these unique tattoos may not turn out exactly as you imagine them, so it may be best to stick with what works.
Come up with a custom design
Remember to design your tattoo with your own preferences: favorite colors, symbols, letters, thread and tassel configurations, etc. Gather lots of materials and share them with your tattoo artist, and try to get the design you have in your head as clear as possible before the artist draws something new by hand.
Better yet, draw the design on your own and let the tattoo artist give you the best interpretation with his skilled hands. This is common in the tattoo world, so don’t hesitate to try it.
You can also try other Asian inspired tattoo themes such as watercolors, cherry blossoms, Korean dragon and tiger tattoos.
Caring for your new tattoo
All tattoos require care after they are applied, and norigae designs are no exception. In fact, the intricate details of norigae require special care to be preserved, especially when the artist uses tiny needles to accurately trace the image.
So after getting your Norigae tattoo, be sure to follow the proper care and recovery methods with the right cleaning and moisturizing techniques. The Mad Rabbit Tattoo Aftercare Starter Kit has everything you need to heal and protect your masterpiece from the moment you leave the studio.
Be careful not to let the sun fade your glue-on ink, as fine lines tend to blend over time. The combination of SPF and lotion will provide long-term protection for intricate ink, no matter how detailed your design.
Enjoy Korean culture at Norigae
Whether you’re proud to be Korean or just love Korean culture, norigae designs are a great way to show off a beautiful and meaningful tattoo. Whether your tattoo is new or old, always find an artist who understands your tattoo best and take good care of it.
Korean tattoos are finally starting to catch on around the world, and Norigae is a great place to start. Keep an eye on the top Korean tattoo artists to make sure you don’t miss out.
source:
Norigae | Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Norigae Costume | Nagaya Museum
Korean Traditional Dress, Hanbok | Visit Korea
