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the cultural journey of tiger skins from
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conservation tiger skins have adorned
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the walls and floors of palaces adorned
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the bodies of Warriors and symbolized
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power across cultures for
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centuries but how did these striking
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pelts become such potent cultural
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symbols tigers have long captured human
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imagination with their strength Beauty
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ferocity it meant Asian cultures these
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magnificent creatures were revered as
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Divine beings or powerful
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Spirits ancient Chinese mythology
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Associated tigers with the God of War
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while in Hinduism the goddess Durer
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rides a tiger symbolizing her Mastery
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nature as human populations expanded and
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hunting technology advanced tiger
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hunting became a popular Pursuit among
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Elites the dangerous nature of the hunt
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added to the prestige of owning a tiger
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skin in British India tiger hunting was
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seen as a noble sport with the Skins
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serving as trophies and Status
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symbols tiger skins took on various
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symbolic meanings in different
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Societies in Tibet they were used in
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religious ceremonies and as meditation
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rugs for high ranking llamas
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in many Asian cultures tiger skins
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symbolized bravery power and protection
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spirits European and American Elites
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displayed tiger rugs as exotic symbols
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worldliness the cultural significance of
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tiger skins however came at a
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devastating cost to Tiger
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populations by the mid 20th century
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tiger numbers had plummeted due to
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habitat loss and over
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hunting this decline led to increased
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awareness and conservation efforts
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including International banss on tiger
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hunting and trade in Tiger
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parts today the symbolism of tiger skins
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shifted while they were once prized
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possessions they are now widely seen as
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symbols of environmental destruction and
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attitudes many countries have strictly
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laws against the trade and possession of
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tiger skins and replicas are often used
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in cultural practices that traditionally
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skins the story of how tiger skins
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became cultural symbols reflects
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changing human attitudes towards nature
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from objects of reverence to Trophies of
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conquest and now to reminders of our
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responsibility to protect endangered
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species tiger skins continue to hold
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powerful symbolism in human culture
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their Journey from revered icons to
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controversial artifacts underscores the
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complex relationship between human
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societies and the natural world