[ 摘要 ]
臺灣原住民的文身習俗是一項相當傳統的文化，本論文內容重點有四點：一、臺灣原住民文身文化之區域性分類：臺灣原住民除自成一格的達悟族兼有文身與繪身習俗之外，臺灣本島文身諸族明顯可再區分為南、北兩大系統。北部文身族群以泰雅族為中心，包含賽夏族，主要文身部位在臉部，族中人人皆須文身，文身儀式相當重視受術者之貞潔；南部文身以排灣為主，包含魯凱、卑南諸族，以及受魯凱影響的南部鄒族，文身部位偏重在肢體刺文，受術者限於貴族等特定階級人士。
二、臺灣原住民文身起源神話傳說之多樣性：臺灣原住民擁有大量且多樣的文身起源神話傳說，本論文分族討論其文身起源神話傳說，各族之下以文身功用作為分類之依據，可歸納為「隱瞞身分」、「祖靈護祐」、「區別敵我」、「美觀裝飾」等四類型。男女性的文身起源神話傳說亦各有側重，男性多與戰鬥、獵頭相連；女性則與婚姻生育、避邪、美觀有關，無論如何，增加個人魅力，吸引異性的注意是文身民族共通的目的。
三、文身作為成年婚配的重要意義：臺灣原住民文身的施術年齡普遍在成年左右，文身完成後的青少年男女即進入成年人的行列，擔負起保衛、繁衍族群的重責大任。文身雖不是臺灣原住民諸族間流傳最普遍的毀身風俗，然而臺灣原住民文身儀式之細膩與慎重，講述文身起源神話傳說之豐富與多樣，可說是遠遠勝過其他毀身習俗，由此可見文身意義之突出性與重要性。
四、文身作為族群標誌的重要意義：本文嘗試將《山海經》中的神話與臺灣原住民文身等毀身文化相互比較，《山海經》的記述方式或可為文身所帶來的外部族群意義，即以形貌特徵作為命名原則作一補充、證明。然而更重要的是，文身是憑著相同的規範所產生的集體意識，同時證明該員的能力、成年以及所屬族群，文身不僅是生時的榮耀，更延伸至死後的歸宿。
[ 英文摘要 ]
The tattoo custom of Taiwanese aboriginal is a quite traditional culture. This thesis’s content has four points:
First, the regional classification of Taiwanese aboriginal tattoo’s culture: Except Taiwanese aboriginal Yami has the culture of tattoo and painting the body, all clans in Taiwan island can divide into two major system--- south and north obviously. The tattoo clan in the north is Thai and Saisiyat, and they tattoo on the face, besides everybody must have been tattooed; the tattoo clan in the south is Paiwan, Lu Kai and Puyuma, and the south clan Tsou which is influenced by Lu Kai, and their tattoo position lay particular stress on limbs; besides this activity is limited to the noble skill person.
Second, the variety of the myths and legends about Taiwanese aboriginal tattoo’s origination: Taiwanese aboriginal has generous and various mythical legend of tattoo origin, and this thesis have “concealing identity”, “protecting and helping by ancient clever”, “distinguishing enemy and us”, “art decorating” and so on. This thesis also lays particular emphasis on the mythical legend of tattoo origin of men and women. The men relate more with fight and hunter; the women relate to marriage, giving birth, avoiding evil spirits, and artistic.
Third, the important meaning of tattoo being the marriage arrange at growing up: The tattoo’s age of Taiwanese aboriginal is at growing up generally. The young boys and girls enter the adult’s ranks after they have been tattooed, and then they have to shoulder the heavy responsibility of bearing and safeguarding. The special and importance of tattoo can be seen from the exquisite and cautious of tattoo ceremony, and the abundant and variety of the mythical legend of tattoo source.
Fourth, the important meaning of tattoo being regarded as ethnicity''s sign: This text tries to compare the mythology of “Classic of Mountains and Rivers” and the tattoo culture and some destroying body culture in Taiwan aboriginal. But the more important thing is, tattoo is produced by the same collective consciousness, and proves one person’s ability, growing up and affiliated ethnicity at the same time. Tattoo is not only the honor of birth but also the destination of death.