Deq
Traditional permanent tattooing among Kurds and Yazidis
Deq is a form of permanent tattooing practiced mainly by Kurdish and Yazidi people in southeastern Turkey. The marks serve as adornment, protection and signs of group ties, though the custom has grown rarer and some now use it to express identity.
- Seen most in Mardin, Diyarbakır and Şanlıurfa areas of Turkey.
- Marks used for protection, fertility and group signs.
- Declined due to social changes but revival work continues.
- Patterns feature stars, crosses, diamonds and circles.
- Traced to ancient times in Mesopotamia.
What it is
Deq consists of permanent marks made by puncturing the skin with a needle and ink. The patterns appear on the face, neck, hands, feet and sometimes the chest. Common shapes are lines, stars, crosses, diamonds, circles and suns. Ink is often made from milk or soot. The process begins with drawing the design then pricking it in. The result stays for life and the step is painful. Women tend to have smaller marks while men receive them less often.
History and origin
The start of the practice is not known but links go back to ancient times in Mesopotamia. Early mentions appear in sixth-century texts and older legal codes. Travelers noted it among Kurdish women in the late nineteenth century and in parts of Iran during the 1950s. It was less common among city dwellers than among villagers and nomads. The custom has faded in recent decades.
What it means
The marks connect to older local customs that predate later religions. They can stand for beauty, safety from harm, health, fertility and group belonging. A V shape once showed tribe. Circles link to fertility, crosses to safety from spirits and diamonds to strength. Rules once barred some women from receiving them. Among men the marks often relate to health and safety.
Styling and care
The tattooist draws the pattern on the skin first then applies the ink by repeated pricks. Ink mixes may use milk, herbs or soot. Yazidi patterns include combs, gazelles and moons. Assyrian versions often show crosses. Men receive marks mainly on hands or face. Recent work aims to keep the practice as a way to show cultural ties.
In culture
The tradition appears in accounts by outside observers and in current efforts to hold on to Kurdish heritage. Some younger people now choose the marks to affirm identity. Similar customs occur among Assyrians and Arabs in the same region. The practice shows up in stories of daily life and group customs.
Questions people ask about Deq
What is deq?
It is a permanent tattoo tradition among Kurds and Yazidis that uses punctures to create lasting designs for protection and identity.
Where is deq found?
It is most common in southeastern Turkey provinces and has ties to areas in Iraq and Iran.
How are the marks made?
A needle dips in ink and pricks the skin after a design is drawn. The ink often comes from milk or soot.
What do the designs mean?
They can show beauty, safety from harm, fertility or group ties. Crosses ward off spirits and circles link to fertility.
Is deq still practiced?
It is now mostly seen on older women but some younger people use it to express cultural identity.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Deq (tattoo)", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFaceShape rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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