Tattoo
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A tattoo is made by inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to form a design.[1] Tattooing, primarily of the face, is a custom used frequently in some of the cities in Essos where slavery is practiced, such as Volantis and the cities under its rule.[2][3][4] Some slave tattoos are actually brands, burnt into the skin.[5][6]
About
It is custom in Volantis to have the faces of slaves tattooed, to mark their status.[7][2][8] It also prevents slaves escaping on the constant flow of ships. Such tattoos are often designed to reveal the slave's role. This custom is also practiced in the cities under the control of Volantis, like Selhorys.[3]
Facial tattoos can sometimes protect slaves. For example, if soldiers of the Fiery Hand are aboard a ship captured by slavers, they can expect to be bought back by a red temple, since the flames tattooed upon their faces are their insurance.[5]
Former slaves sometimes remove their tattoos. A faded scar is on the widow of the waterfront's cheek, from where she had her tear tattoo cut away after she was freed.[4] Ser Marq Mandrake has a hole in one cheek where a slaver's mark has been burned away.[9]
A rare few known tattoos appear to be unrelated to slavery.[10][11][12][13] According to semi-canon sources, the freeborn citizens of Volantis tattoo themselves to show prowess in battle, and as a record of their exploits.[14]
Known slave tattoos
The following slave tattoos are known to be used in Volantis and her associated cities:
- Squares of motley, from neck to scalp: fools and jesters.[7][8]
- A wheel upon one cheek: driver of a hathay.[2][8]
- A mask of blue feathers.[2]
- A lightning bolt that runs from jaw to brow.[2]
- A coin upon the cheek.[2]
- A leopard's spots.[2]
- A skull.[2]
- A jug.[2]
- Flies on the cheeks: slaves that collect elephant and horse dung.[4][8]
- Flames across the cheeks: members of the Fiery Hand.[5]
- Flames across the cheeks, chin, and forehead: priests of the faith of R'hllor.[4][15][16][17]
- A horsehead on the cheek: workers in stables.[4]
- Tiger stripes, green as jade, across the cheeks: slave soldiers.[3][4][8]
- A single tear beneath the right eye: prostitutes.[3][4][8]
- A ship's figurehead on one cheek: slave sailors bound to that ship.[15]
- A demon's mask, branded on a cheek: a dangerous and disobedient slave.[5][6]
Known tattooed characters
- Benerro: slave tattoos of flames cover his cheeks, chin and shaven head,[4] as the priests of R'hllor have.[4][15][16][17]
- Coryanne Wylde: allegedly, per A Caution for Young Girls, she was tattooed when she was a slave in Volantis.[18]
- Cragorn: his chest is tattooed with a hawk, with talons that drip blood.[11][17]
- Jorah Mormont: slave brand of a demon's mask on his right cheek.[5][6]
- Moqorro: slave tattoos of flames covering his cheeks and forehead.[15]
- Patchface: slave tattoos of motley covering his face.[7]
- Shadow Men: known for covering their bodies in tattoos.[10]
- Steelskin: his cheeks, brow, chest, and arms are covered with intricate green and black tattoos, allegedly ancient Valyrian sorcerer's signs.[13]
- Sunset girl: slave tattoos of tears beneath one eye.[3]
- Tessario: tiger stripes tattooed across his face and back.[19]
- Tiger cloaks: slave tattoos of green tiger stripes across their cheeks.[3][4][8]
- Webber: spider tattoos covering his head, chest and arms.[12]
- A Dothraki slave overseer in Astapor: the harpy and chains tattooed across his chest.[20]
- The Selaesori Qhoran's crew: fifty slaves bound to the ship, each with a crude version of the cog's figurehead tattooed upon one cheek.[15]
Quotes
Slave tattoos. Marks of evil.[17]
—thoughts of Victarion Greyjoy
The whores of Lannisport and King's Landing were free women. Their sisters of Selhorys were slaves, their bondage indicated by the tears tattooed beneath their right eyes.[3]
—thoughts of Tyrion Lannister
The slave soldiers of Volantis were fiercely proud of their tiger stripes.[3]
—thoughts of Tyrion Lannister
References
- ↑ Wikipedia: Tattoo
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 6, The Merchant's Man.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 22, Tyrion VI.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 27, Tyrion VII.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 47, Tyrion X.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 66, Tyrion XII.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 A Clash of Kings, Prologue.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 The World of Ice & Fire, The Free Cities: Volantis.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 24, The Lost Lord.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 54, Daenerys VI.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 19, The Drowned Man.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 43, Daenerys VII.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 67, The Kingbreaker.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones: d20-based Open Gaming RPG.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 33, Tyrion VIII.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 56, The Iron Suitor.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 63, Victarion I.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, A Surfeit of Rulers.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - War and Peace and Cattle Shows.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 23, Daenerys II.