Deq (Kurdish: deq, دەق) or xal (Kurdish: xał, خاڵ) are the traditional and unique tattoos pertaining to Kurds. Deq is more commonly found among Kurdish women, but is also observed among men. However, the practice of deq has become less common due to the influence of Islam and has been substituted with henna. Unlike the henna, deq is not ...

She is one of the very few tattoo artists committed to keeping the art of traditional Kurdish tattooing, known as deq or xal, alive for another generation. Deq is the Kurdish word for “tattoo,” but the word has come to refer specifically to tattoos in the Kurdish style.

If you visit the historic Kurdish cities of Şanlıurfa, Mardin, or Diyarbakır, you’ll notice a fascinating tradition etched into the skin of many women—DEQ tattoos. This ancient art form, passed down through generations, covers their faces, hands, feet, …

The intricate designs and symbols of Kurdish tattoos carry deep meaning, reflecting desires for protection, love, fertility, and beauty. Each symbol holds significance within its cultural context, serving as a testament to the rich tapestry of Kurdish heritage and tradition.

Jan 8, 2023 · Temel, now 24, has since inked hundreds of customers with deq motifs and symbols from the small one-room studio she opened in November 2021 in the Sur district in Diyarbakır’s Old City, considered...

Kurdish woman with tattoos on her face and hand, Diyarbakir. The Deq, sometimes called Daq, Daqq, Dagg, or Dövün , is a traditional form of tattooing common to several peoples of the Middle East. Practiced by Bedouins, Yazidis and even Turks, it is mainly the Kurds who practice it the most and especially women. Tattooed hand of a woman in Erzurum.

Kurdish tattoos feature unique designs that potentially harken back to pre-Islamic religions, which continue to hold significance for some Kurds. These symbols include the sun, moon, cross, comb, heart, stars, birds, and flowers.

Jan 4, 2024 · In our Kurdish tradition, these tattoos were done by our ancestors. When one looks at the hands and faces of women, one sees that they have tattooed with great skill. Which part of women's bodies were tattooed?

Jan 17, 2025 · A common practice in the Mesopotamia region that straddles Turkey, Iraq and Syria, especially among Kurds, “deq” is the Kurdish word for tattoo. Prevalent in Turkey’s south-eastern provinces of Mardin, Diyarbakır and Şanlıurfa, it involves injecting a special mix of ink, which includes breast milk, under the skin.

Sep 9, 2023 · I am planning to do a tattoo on my arm and i want it to represent the kurdish culture/tradition. Do you have any ideas about something that representa us kurds. It can be everything maybe animal, something that means a lot to kurds.