INTRODUCTION

In comes of geometry and patterns, Crystallography is a branch of

mathematics that studies the geometric properties and symmetries of crystals. This

happens when crystals like diamonds, gems, rubies and etc. is exposed by an x-ray

beam or strong light and shows distinct points, shapes, and patterns. This can be

applied when creating patterns and shapes to make designs for traditional tattoos.

Traditional tattoos based on their designs and patterns are examples of

ethnomathematics.

Ethnomathematics is a relationship between culture and mathematics which

is the study of nature of mathematical ideas and to give different and unique

perspectives to create new designs. Some other countries show different traditions and

culture including in making their own traditional tattoos design. Ethnomathematics is

to assist students to become aware of how people apply mathematics in their culture.

It is also to mathematize and think mathematically and, to learn about formal

mathematics, and to increase the ability to mathematize in any context on the future

through tattoos.

In the past, Philippines has one of the most people who used traditional

tattoos to show bravery, beauty, and social or wealth status. A tribe in the provinces of

Samar and Leyte in the Philippines still produces traditional tattoos. This indigenous

Filipino tribe has developed its own unique tattoo practices that serve as a significant

form of expression and cultural heritage. The Filipino tribe is called the Waray tribe

which they have their own tattoo tradition. Art in ancient Waray society is most visible

in the yunal, body tattoos that were either used as charms or worn as symbols for

status and rite of passage. The male body served as the broadcloth for the tattooing of

exquisite designs, which ran from the groins to the ankles, and from the waist to the

chest. The design on the chest looked like a breastplate, but the more daring had their

necks, temples, and foreheads tattooed with rays and lines that gave them a fierce

countenance. The women had their hands and wrists tattooed with flowers and knots,

an embellishment which enhanced the sheen of their gold rings and bracelets.

Every part of a design in a Waray traditional tattoo represents a frieze pattern

and a symmetry group. A frieze pattern is a repeating pattern with translation

symmetry in an endless direction left and right. The repeating patterns may have
rotational, reflectional, or glide reflectional symmetry. Frieze Patterns has its different

Symmetry Group. It’s a figure of repetition symmetry patterns through tattoos

Figure 1. Illustration of Frieze Pattern and Its Symmetry Group

Frieze patterns has its different symmetry groups such as mm, 1m, mg, 1g, 12,

m1, and 11. Symmetry group mm is related to mirror reference symmetry it has

reflection with vertical axis and reflection with horizontal axis.

While 1m is a reflection with horizontal axis. 1 represents translation.

Translation duplicates a shape left or right but does not rotate.

Symmetry group mg is a reflection with vertical axis then a rotation.

Symmetry group 1g is a glide reflection which means moves in

translation and ends in reflection.

Symmetry group 12 is what you call a Rotation

which means two fold rotation and it has no reflection and glide reflection.

Symmetry group m1 is a reflection with

vertical axis. Its just like Symmetry group 1m but it is reflected with vertical axis.

Last Symmetry group is 11 the

pure Translation pattern. Which means moves a pattern left or right and up or down.

The translated pattern look exactly the same size as the original pattern. They just

have been shifted in one or more directions.