About - Traditional Croatian Tattoos

The Legacy of Traditional Croatian Tattoos

The story of Traditional Croatian Tattoos is one of enduring strength, quiet determination, and the resilience of the human spirit. Their origins trace back to the ancient Illyrian tribes of the Balkans, eventually mixed with early Catholic art and adopted new meanings as history unfolded.

During the Ottoman invasions (15th–19th centuries), these tattoos became more than mere ornaments. They transformed into:

• Acts of defiance
• Tools of cultural preservation
• Symbols of hope in adversity

Primarily, women in rural areas tattooed themselves and their children with sacred symbols to protect their identity and ensure their roots would never be forgotten—even in the face of unimaginable oppression.

Tattooed women from Bosnia – Albert Khan

The tattooing process itself was steeped in tradition:

• Ink had its regional variations but was primarily handcrafted from natural materials such as mother’s milk, charcoal, and honey. This traditional form of tattooing is known as sicanje or bocanje, which translates to poking. The process required puncturing the skin’s surface with a needle and this mixture until blood surfaced; after covering the area and allowing it to rest overnight, the resulting patterns became everlasting.

• Tattooists, often women, carried this practice forward, embodying both feminine strength and cultural resilience.

While the Ottoman era ended in the 19th century, this tradition persists, with its timeless symbols and patterns deeply intertwined with cultural identity and spiritual connection serving as a bridge between past and present. Women brandishing these tattoos can still be seen in small villages around Bosnia & Herzegovina.

The Timeless Symbols

The cross, circle, and line form the foundation of every ornament in traditional Croatian tattooing. While these designs can hold various meanings, we believe they are universal symbols that transcend religion and connect us with nature and our community. This connection is reflected in their names: Fir Tree, Branch, Sun, Moon, and Star…

The Wheel (Kolo) is imbued with extensive meaning that stems from mysticism, suggesting that divinity is boundless and omnipresent; it signifies a powerful symbol of totality, unity, and perfection of all creatures, recognizing no beginning or end.
Kolo is also a traditional Slavic folk dance that fosters and celebrates a sense of community, ritual, and cultural identity.

The Fence (Ograda) and the Bracelet (Narukvica) each carry social significance. The Fence represents protection and boundaries; the Bracelet denotes one’s sanctuary, connection to the local community, and a sense of security and trust.

In mythology, trees — from their deep roots to their high branches — symbolize the center of the world where heaven and earth intersect. In Slavic mythology, particularly, the Fir Tree (Jelica) signifies longevity, immortality, and fertility, often connected with figures of gods and goddesses.

Jelica is a traditional Slavic name associated with people who are self-confident, brave, and fearless in facing life’s challenges.

The Branch (Grančica) – In many cultures, the olive branch is recognized as a symbol of peace. It represents renewal as trees come back to life each spring. In Slavic mythology, the peaks and branches of the oak tree symbolize the celestial vault.

Moriz Hoerner, Vienne, 1896, Tatouages des catholiques de Bosnie-Herzégovine

Discerning original meanings became increasingly challenging over time as the symbols evolved into more intricate ornaments. From a contemporary standpoint, these tattoos and their societal functions continuously evolved, shaped by political, social, and cultural changes. Initially valued for their protective qualities, tattoos eventually became rites of passage from childhood to adulthood. Today, they stand as stunning body decorations imbued with a rich history.

When we try to understand the symbolic meaning of Traditional Croatian tattoos, we must acknowledge this cultural fluidity and the shared history with other cultures and religions. These symbols act as a bridge, connecting us to a pre-Christian era that can feel very distant and elusive from this space-time. They are a part of a greater context than any one specific design.

Why These Tattoos Matter Today

These tattoos represent more than a tradition—they are a legacy of the human spirit, rooted in female determination and empowerment.

They stand as a testament to the beauty and strength of Balkan women who carried their heritage through generations, even as they were excluded from public narratives and burdened by societal expectations.

By reimagining these symbols through a contemporary lens, we aim to:

• Celebrate their sacred origins
• Revive and give them new life in today’s world
• Show that these are not static artifacts but dynamic expressions of culture, connecting us to a shared history of courage, faith, and survival.

Our Mission

We honor those who dared to resist cultural suppression. We are fascinated by the fact that the art of tattooing people defied colonialism and preserved the important parts of their identity. Today, we continue their story by celebrating the resilience of the human spirit and the generational beauty carried by those before us.

Our work reimagines these ancient symbols as a timeless tradition – art transcends time and space. By sharing this legacy, we aim to empower individuals to embrace their own stories, find strength in adversity, and carry forward their authenticity and hope.

Our Journey: From Playful Exploration to Global Community

Back in 2019, we, Eva and Nikola, embarked on this journey without a grand business plan. Our initial motivation was pure curiosity—exploring the emotions and stories already woven into these tattoo designs. We started by simply playing, experimenting with patterns and the feelings they evoked. We questioned the market at first:

“Why would anyone want to buy temporary tattoos that fade?”

As we delved deeper, wearing these creations on our bodies, we realized something profound. These tattoos carried unique stories, yet required no permanent commitment.

Every day, we chose a different design and wore it, just like a piece of art or jewelry. Wearing these tattoos felt different—it made us feel more connected to ourselves and our ancestors.

People started to notice, drawn to the intricate designs, often surprised to hear they weren’t real. Strangers would stop us on the street, curious about the tattoos and eager to ask questions. What began as simple compliments turned into meaningful conversations about the history and cultural significance behind the symbols. These unexpected connections with people we might never have spoken to otherwise sparked something in us, and slowly, our playful hobby began to evolve into a small but thriving business.

Today, we’re incredibly grateful for the global community that has embraced our brand. We see our tattoos as more than just temporary adornments—they’re vessels for personal narratives, a bridge between the past, the present, and the unique story of each wearer.

In 2019, we opened our Etsy shop and were amazed by the positive response. By 2025, we had expanded our reach, creating premade packages for shops, galleries, and fairs, and introducing our brand to tourists along the Croatian coast.

What started as a simple exploration of tradition has grown into a global community connected by stories, symbols, and the timeless power of resilience.

For centuries, this story remained hidden, tucked away in the margins of history. Only recently have Croats begun to truly embrace this part of their own cultural heritage. You too can now carry a piece of history, wherever you go.