CENTIPEDE TATTOO

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Wednesday, 07th February
JULIE TOLENTINO: CENTIPEDE TATTOO

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JULIE TOLENTINO

What was the symbol she chose to tattoo on you and why?
Whang Od grabbed our arms, eager and smiling, while twisting and unbuttoning to get more views of our tattoos. I am excited to see that she is particularly fond of Binnie’s centipede tattoo. She positions her traditional design prominently beside his. The centipede design and its meaning represent a talisman, a symbol of protection and spiritual guidance, and also distinguish or identify the tribe’s bravest, fiercest warriors’ keen ability to meet challenges. Receiving these two face-to-face centipedes touches very deeply.

Whang Od’s granddaughter, Grace, tattooed Vanessa, then Stosh, allowing them to select a simple design made of a series of dots. It was absolutely breathtaking to see Grace and Whang Od working side-by-side and to experience the way she passed information to Grace along the way. Whang Od laughs while telling Stosh that the dots positioned on the hidden inner surfaces of the fingers should have been placed more prominently, but nevertheless displays approval of the final pattern. She loved Stosh’s well-adorned multi-styled tattooed body making it evident that Whang Od’s Batok philosophy of permanent body markings reflects a manifestation of strength, commitment, social interaction and reflections of beauty, bravery, endurance, attraction, and creativity.

August 2012