I’ve always loved the look and meaning of the eagle feathers with beads for years but I don’t have any Native American background or heritage. Would it be insulting or rude to get a primarily NA symbol even though I am not NA myself?
To the people who are being smart-@sses saying "NAs don’t own feathers so get a feather", please read the whole question. It is a specific type of feather and style which is obviously NA in origin. If you don’t have anything worth while to contribute please don’t.
Okay my take on it is that its totally okay! The only thing I’d be upset with is if you started going around to people saying "Yes I’m a Native, look at my tattoo!" But If you don’t, I have 0 problem with it. And if you went online and used my language to say something silly like "Fly high" or something, then I’d be a little annoyed. Cause its like all those random white kids who get japanese tattoos and the japanese are like huhh?
Basically, go for the tattoo. As long as you don’t go around saying your Native American, I don’t mind.
February 7th, 2010 at 9:07 pm
It wouldn’t be considered insulting if you like what it means and your not saying bad things about that heritage.
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February 7th, 2010 at 9:38 pm
native americans do not own eagles. no one owns eagles
if you like it, get it.
if you were wanting to get it with a specific tribal design involved too, that would be disrespectful probably? but just the feather? that would be like asking if indians would get offended if you got a tattoo of an elephant. they dont own elephants
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February 7th, 2010 at 9:44 pm
I agree with the above poster. Feathers are not owned by anyone, just like flowers, animals, etc..
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February 7th, 2010 at 10:32 pm
Tattoos are not about a culture, they are an artistic way to express yourself. They also tell a story in many ways. If you like getting eagle feathers with beads then do it for your own personal reasons. Not because you think that it needs to be associated with some ethic group. Many people take a tattoo like that and incorporate it into their own designs. In order to make it suit them more. So I think you should make the symbol into your own as well. The more thought that you put into your design, the more better and beautiful it will become.
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I have a design associated with a ethnic group as well. I have never regretted my decision to get the tattoo either.
February 7th, 2010 at 10:43 pm
I think it would show that you love and respect Native American culture. A lot of people go around wearing NA stuff without even bothering to question if it offends anyone. You should do it if that’s what you really like.
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February 7th, 2010 at 11:28 pm
mo i think if you find it meaningfull you should get it…it could represent dreams that you are catching your dreams………i am getting a starfish tattoo and i hate the smell of the ocean but it means something really strong to me
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February 8th, 2010 at 12:16 am
Okay my take on it is that its totally okay! The only thing I’d be upset with is if you started going around to people saying "Yes I’m a Native, look at my tattoo!" But If you don’t, I have 0 problem with it. And if you went online and used my language to say something silly like "Fly high" or something, then I’d be a little annoyed. Cause its like all those random white kids who get japanese tattoos and the japanese are like huhh?
Basically, go for the tattoo. As long as you don’t go around saying your Native American, I don’t mind.
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Native american. Born and raised.