National Geographic Photo Gallery: Tattoos, Piercings, and Other Body ArtPhotographer: Chris Rainer

Click to enlarge this photograph of albino twin sisters. They are Cuna Indians of Panama, known for tattoos and nose rings. Cuna Indians, Panama
Cuna Indians live in isolation on the San Blas Islands off the Panama coast. Cuna women, like these albino twin sisters, are known for their body markings and nose rings. They are wearing traditional molas, layered cloth panels known around the world for their beautiful patterns. Within the Cuna culture albinos—called “Children of the Moon”—are sacred.

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Click to view photograph of a scarred man from Burkina Faso Click to view a photograph of a tattooed man at the Burning Man Festival, Nevada. Click to see a photograph of tattooed Maori gang members, New Zealand Click to view a photograph of a tattooed yakuza gang member, Japan. Click to view a photograph of tattooed ''modern primitives'' in California. Click to view a photograph of tattooed twin Cuna Indians, Panama.
 Click to view a photograph of a tattooed Coptic Christian woman, Ethiopia. Click to view a photograph of a tattooed Maori Chief, New Zealand. Click to view a photograph of a Mursi woman with face markings and a lip plate in Ethiopia. Click to view a photograph of nude women with temporary tattoos bathing in Brazil. Click to view a photograph of a nude Samoan man with tribal tattooing.
Click here to learn about photographer Chris Rainier. Click here for a look at the book ''National Geographic Photographs: Then and Now.'' Click here for Web links on tattoos, piercings, and other body art Credits for National Geographic's tattoos, piercings, and body markings gallery