Disney’s 1995 animated film, Pocahontas, introduced a generation to a romanticized version of Native American history, and with it, a subtly inked Disney princess. When discussing Disney princesses, tattoos aren’t typically the first thing that comes to mind. However, Pocahontas, in a departure from many fairytale heroines, sports a distinctive red tattoo on her arm. This feature, while perhaps overlooked by some, opens a fascinating door into the real history of Native American tattooing and the artistic choices behind Disney’s portrayal. Let’s delve into the story behind Pocahontas’s tattoo, examining its possible historical inspirations and what it represents within the context of tattoo art history.
Disney’s depiction of Pocahontas, while taking significant liberties with historical accuracy, did include this visual nod to Native American customs. The tattoo is presented as a single, abstract red band on her upper arm. Here are a couple of visuals from the movie to refresh your memory:
Pocahontas DVD cover showcasing her arm tattoo
Still from Disney's Pocahontas movie highlighting the red armband tattoo
But where did this design idea originate? It appears Disney animators drew inspiration from historical engravings, specifically those based on the drawings of John White, an English artist who traveled to North America in the late 16th century. White documented the Secotan people of the coastal Carolinas, and his artwork, later engraved by Theodore de Bry, provided Europeans with some of the earliest visual representations of Native Americans.
One engraving, in particular, from De Bry’s Americae Pars I (1590), seems to have been a key reference point. It portrays the front and back views of a Secotan woman and prominently features armband tattoos:
Engraving of a Secotan woman from Theodore de Bry's Americae Pars I, showcasing armband tattoos
It’s highly likely that this image, or similar depictions, influenced the Disney artists. The armband style tattoo on the Secotan woman visually aligns with the placement of Pocahontas’s tattoo. Furthermore, a detail from the back view of the same woman might have contributed to the decision to give Pocahontas a single armband design, even though the engraving shows two.
While Disney referenced these engravings, they might not have fully explored John White’s original drawings. These original artworks, now more accessible through resources like the British Museum, reveal much more extensive tattooing practices among the Secotan, including facial tattoos and intricate body art. It’s worth noting that the Powhatan people, Pocahontas’s tribe, were Algonquian-speaking but distinct from the Secotan. Direct visual records of Powhatan tattoos from Pocahontas’s era are scarce. However, given their Algonquian connection, it’s plausible that their tattoo traditions shared similarities with the Secotan, though variations would certainly have existed.
Historical accounts, like John Smith’s 1606 descriptions of Powhatan women’s tattoos, offer further insight. Smith mentioned “legs, hands, breasts and face cunningly imbrodered with divers workes, as beasts, serpents, artificially wrought into their flesh with blacke spots.” This description, while lacking visual detail, suggests tattoos that were perhaps more elaborate and widespread than the single armband depicted by Disney, and potentially different in style from the Secotan examples.
Despite historical simplifications, Disney’s inclusion of a tattoo on Pocahontas was a significant step. In 1995, tattoos were still navigating their way into mainstream acceptance in Western culture. By portraying a Disney princess with a tattoo, even a simplified one, the movie subtly contributed to destigmatizing body art and potentially sparked curiosity about the rich history of tattooing in Indigenous cultures. For those seeking a more historically grounded representation, online art communities showcase interpretations of Pocahontas with more elaborate and researched tattoo designs, like this example, demonstrating a growing appreciation for accurate and respectful portrayals of Native American traditions.
Ultimately, the “Pocahontas Tattoo” in the Disney film serves as a starting point for a broader exploration. It invites us to look beyond the animated feature and delve into the fascinating history of Native American tattooing, its diverse forms, cultural significance, and enduring legacy. It reminds us that even in popular culture, there are threads of history waiting to be unravelled, leading to a richer understanding of the world’s diverse artistic traditions.
