scarification; decorative scarring
A technical term for the practice of creating permanent designs on the skin by cutting or burning, rather than by tattooing with ink. Rare in everyday language; more commonly described as 瘢痕形成 or explained descriptively.
Scarification has been practiced as a rite of passage in some cultures.
入れ墨 refers to tattooing with ink, while 瘢痕文身 specifically means scarification without ink.
瘢痕 means a scar in general; 瘢痕文身 is the intentional creation of scars for decorative or ritual purposes.
Compound of 瘢痕 (scar) and 文身 (tattoo, body decoration). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the term appears to be a modern technical coinage.