Minhwa tattoos: Korean folk art inscribed on the skin

What is minhwa?

Minhwa, or Korean folk art, is a style of painting that has historically been done by and for everyday citizens, rather than well-known and formally trained artists. Common subject matter include natural elements such as the sun and moon, mountains, clouds, animals, and flowers. There is also a spiritual element to minhwa, as minhwa paintings were traditionally believed to protect their owners and their families from bad luck. And because minhwa was developed by ordinary people, minhwa paintings are considered by art historians to be authentic records of Korean domestic life.

At MamaInk, we get quite a few international clients that like to collect a new tattoo in each new city or country they visit. This is super fun not only for our clients, but also our artists, as we get to see beautiful tattoos from all over the world up-close and in person!

Travelling is a great opportunity to get tattoos in artistic styles that are unique to certain parts of the world, such as minhwa! Let’s have a look at some minhwai-inspired tattoos recently done by MamaInk artists.

An inky, and detailed Korean pine

Clouds floating among the mountains and drifting outside the frame of their own canvas

Two brushwork-style cranes landing in the shallows as the sun sets

A playful mix of the modern and the traditional with Snoopy and Woodstock :)

A grinning tiger in a Korean hat!

An expression of the client’s spirituality against a backdrop of towering mountains and swirling clouds

Which of these minhwa tattoo examples left you feeling the most inspired? If you’d like to get a piece like this, email or DM us for an appointment! Alternatively, walk-in visits are always welcome! We hope to see you soon! :)