I have seen women, most older ones, with blueish tattoos on their chin and lip. I guess it is a tradition, but what for? What does it mean, represent? Can someone tell me about this?

I saw them at women in Elazig, Malatya and Erzurum. At least, there I noticed it, maybe there are more places?

I just looked at some pictures, but I can't find an example. As far as I remember there were no circles, I couldn't see a pattern, it just looked like several lines and dots.

I still have a strong suspicion that they may be related to marriage/fertility. I have heard of some nomad tribes of asia doing similar tatoos. I can't think of the name though.

i think just for decoration.
sort of ever-lasting cosmetics.
i saw some elder women had tattoed between their eye-brows.
it has nothing to do with the number of kids, at least in central asia.

I think this is what you saw!

Have a look!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZm9LcJajAw

I've seen those in Eastern Anatolia. They were pretty simple dots and lines. The most extravagant female facial tattoos I've seen were in on North African women. From what was told to me they were tribal marks that in addition to beautification helped discourage kidnapping.

The site below is sort of an imitation tattoo, but it looks exactly like the one's I've seen.

http://www.harquus.com/how/

FWIW, A Berber lady who was a very good friend told me the women who wanted to be rid of them used hair remover to erase them. It took a while, but in the end they faded to nothing.

We saw a 'break making' lady in Istanbul at a restaurant with chin tattoos like you described. At a Turkmenistan restaurant. Someone in my group spoke to her and she was from...guess where? Turkmenistan. I would guess you might be seeing Turkmenistan people who have moved to Turkey.

I think it WAS common for older (60 yo and older today) generation in Turkmen/Turkomant (and some Kurdish) tribes in Eastern Turkey. They were symbol of "their traditional roots, loyalty to their culture, protection from bad luck and illness, and also they believe some of those images bring luck etc"....but it seems like it was an old tradition, and for younger generation it is not common any more...

My mother in law has a single blue dot on her upper forehead. She got it when she was a child but she doesn't seem to know why.. and I've never seen anyone else in their city with it

I'd like to know how they make it and for what purpose as well

Yes, also it would identify where you came from. When people are missing one of the first things you read are distinguishing marks. Tattoos that were tribal certainly would do that. I wish there were some serious photographic documentation the marks, but the people of North Africa do not like having photographs taken of themselves. I did some a few drawings of the different marks. They were most interesting and it's surprising anthropologists have not done some serious studies of the marks. To me they look almost like the written form of lost language.

The younger women don't often have them. Thus it seems a dying art form.

Quoting AEnigma III: Quoting alameda: From what was told to me they were tribal marks that in addition to beautification helped discourage kidnapping. Wow - I never knew that! I guess it WOULD be a very good deterent to kidnapping.

No Trudy, I was talking about the Berber tattoos in North Africa. The reason I referenced them was because of the similar placement of the markings.

It's nice to see you again Azade...

The marks are pretty simple to make. Exactly how they did it in your mother in law's case I don't know, but I have a small pencil point sized blue mark I received when rushing down a very crowded hallway in a in High School to my next class many years ago.

A boy with a sharpened pencil accidentally stabbed me with his graphite pencil on his rush to his next class. That mark has stayed with me for years and years.

It was only fraction of a second, he didn't even realize he stabbed me. It didn't hurt much, but it's been there for years. Although, it has faded through the years.

Thanks alameda that's really interesting actually but still sorry to hear that you can't get the mark off. It must be something similar they're doing to make it.

(Just got back from two months in Hakkari and Antalya, that's why I've been abscent)

Speaking of tats, it has become more and more popular here in the U.S. We now have two tv programs "LA Ink & Miami Ink". I'm wondering what is driving the craze for this. I personally don't have any. Just curious why people feel the need to get them. I hear alot of people later in life, regretting that they ever had one in the first place. Also, for women, why would you get them in places where no one can see them. What would be the point in this? You also hear about women having their boyfriends name put on them, only to break up later. I guess I would be more open minded to them, if I had a profession where it would be more acceptable. I just think personally, when I see a woman in a suit with a tat on her leg or ankle, it looks a little tacky.

Ouh hell.....you will never believe this but I agree with you Teas!!! I know they are really popular, but I also think they are a bit "tacky" sorry if that offends anyone.

Besides...I am so fickle, I would get a tattoo, and then wish I had a different design a week later

(OMG! Is it supposed to be the FIRST Tuesday in the month ending with an 'R' or the LAST? If its the FIRST then that's REALLY SPOOKY )

My mother gave me the advice "Get a tatoo that will still look cool when you are 70." That narrowed it down...still don't have one! If I do I will get it somewhere where it isn't seen. I've seen too many bellydancers that I like but can't stop staring at some weird tatoo they have..."my got is that a big gross spider on her lower back? no no...that is a sun/rose/yin yang (whatever)".

Owww speaking of tattoos, I ve got 4 on various places, I like tattoos but they shouldnt cover all your body. When made properly it looks good although sometimes I feel that I need to hide them.

Tattooed hands in Oman: http://www3.nationalgeographic.com/places/gallery/oman_lailat-al-henna-wedding.html