Deq (also know as kutan) is a Kurdish tattoo-tradition that is spread between Kurds for many centuries. This tradition is most common in areas such as Amed, Shingal, Qamishlo, Efrîn, and Riha. It’s a tradition that started to vanish in the Kurdish community for many reasons.
Deq is basically made from soot and breast milk. The design is drawn on the skin and then a series of small punctures are made with a sewing needle. After that, the mixture is spread over the design, which scabs over and leaves the wished tattoo.
Traditionally most people get tattooed between the ages of eight and twelve, yet there isn’t an established rule for that.
Some of the designs are unique, possibly referring to pre-Islamic religions that are, in some way, still in the hearts of some Kurds. These symbols are mainly: sun, moon, cross, comb, heart, stars, birds, and flowers. For example, stars symbolize luck, comb stands for beauty, and birds for life and the human soul. While plant symbols refer to wishes for fertility, productivity, and strength, the V symbols are tribal identifiers and here the size of the symbol has to do with the size of the family group. Another peculiarity of the Kurdish Deq is the position of the tattoo, for a tattoo situated between the eyes should offer protection against the evil eye.
Kurdish tattoo tradition is probably vanishing as people stopped practicing this tradition 50 years ago. This is due to the general opinion that deq isn’t viewed as modern or is old-fashioned. Contrary to that, tattoos were seen as fascinating and beautiful decades ago.
![](https://s2.save4k.ru/pic/paWfK9xD0Pk/maxresdefault.jpg)