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For Polynesian people, shark teeth are usually designed as triangles with empty space or filled with ink. Shark teeth often symbolize protection from evil or sometimes indicate evil is coming your way. For the Polynesian warriors, shark teeth also represent strength in battle. It is usually designed as a basic body, with its limbs sticking out of the shell, using dark lines and tribal shapes. And sometimes tattoo artists use lines and dots to draw the turtle. The symbolism behind traditional Polynesian tattoos was much more complicated than modern day art.
Awe-Inspiring Polynesian Tattoo Designs & Meanings
It was here the word tattoo found its way into the English vocabulary. It became a popular tradition to get their arms adorned with tattoos when they traveled to Polynesia. For example, in a hierarchical society, tattoos represented certain social ranks or may have been reserved sloley for the leaders of a tribe. In other contexts, tattoos were like tribal patches and even entailed protective spiritual elements. Thus, the meaning behind each tattoo did vary between island groups and, undoubtedly, it evolved.
Polynesian Back Tattoo With Turtle Motif
A stingray, as we mentioned before, stands for agility and swift movement. It is also symbolic of protection and serves as a guardian for the whole tribe. Tiki figures can be represented in a frontal view, seldom with their tongue strained out as a token of resistance to opponents. This design is the eyes of the tiki, the most important feature of the tiki face. Legs and feet represent moving forward, transformation and progress. The feet, being our contact with Papa, Mother Nature, are also related to concreteness and material matters.
Tiki Tattoo
Choose wisely the design and respect the culture from which it came. Polynesian tattoos have a ton of history behind them, and their legacy goes back 2000 years. All these islands had different tattoo masters who passed on their knowledge of tattooing to their apprentices. The origin of the Marquesan cross is unknown, but some archaeological studies show that it is related to the turtle shell. The Marquesan cross is a popular design that is widely used in Polynesian tattoos.
The Hawaiian Tattoo Culture (Kakau Tattoos)
Just remember to follow the aftercare instructions, be patient, and trust the healing process. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution.
Whole Leg Polynesian Designs
It can be either soft and round or a type of spiral with hard corners. These tattoos are beautiful and usually tell the individual’s whole story. Plural, or repeating, human figures often represent a group of ancestors that are guiding and protecting their descendants. In this article, you will find some style ideas and advice on how to be sure of your decision. The Polynesian tattoo is the perfect design to combine inks for several reasons. Depending on the specific design, ocean waves can either take a curved form or be simplified to angular lines.
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Polynesian tattoos have become popular in recent years, and it’s not hard to understand why. They make their wearer look like a warrior, but they also carry deep symbolism of nature. The connection between humans and their environment is an important element in Polynesian tattoos. A tiki tattoo usually represents ancestors, chiefs, and priests that have transitioned to a semi-god status after dying.
One thing to keep in mind is that Polynesian and Filipino tattoos are often quite painful, especially if they're large or cover a sensitive area of the body. However, many people find the pain to be worth it for the beautiful and meaningful tattoos that result. It's important to note that prior generations of traditional tattoo masters in the Polynesia and the Philippines did not use stencils either. He does not pre-draw your design or create design for others to tattoo. Kurtis follows in this tradition by drawing each design freehand on the skin before tattooing, ensuring that each tattoo is tailored to the wearer.
Polynesian Spearhead Motifs
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Referred to as "honu" in the local language, these tattoos symbolize various positive attributes such as health, fertility, unity, stability, and longevity. In the Marquesan language, the term "hono," signifying both "turtle" and the idea of harmony and family ties, adds depth to the symbolism. One way to find an authentic Hawaiian tattoo artist is to do your research and look for artists who have a deep connection to the Polynesian culture. Hawaiian mythology and lore are rich with fascinating stories and legendary figures. Many Polynesian tattoos incorporate these mythical elements to honor their cultural heritage.
The Samoan tattoos for men were big in size reaching from below the rib cage to the ankles, and they are called pe’a. On the other hand, the feminine tattoos (malu) were large in size but lacked the black areas. It is believed that the first tribal people of Polynesia came to the Marquesas Islands and it is from here that they spread to various other Polynesian Islands. The process itself was a painful one since tattoos were done using crude equipment such as bamboos and animal bones. If you're interested in getting a Polynesian or Filipino tattoo from Kurtis, the process is simple.
This would be reserved for wealthy families and could take weeks or months depending on how many tattoos the person was going to have done. Another reason Marquesan tattoos are interesting is that getting a tattoo for a Marquesan wasn’t as simple as sitting down for a few hours. Ancient Marquesans used an interesting tool for tattooing, or, should I say, tools. The pigment used was traditionally from the ama nut, which was cooked over a fire and the soot was then captured onto stones and dried on banana leaves. For this reason, the mere act of receiving a tattoo was seen as a great act of bravery and the sign of a powerful person.
There are over two million people in the Pacific that make up Polynesia. Their ancestors came from South-East Asia around 3,000 years ago on an incredible voyage to settle distant islands around Oceania. The result of their epic journey today is a very widespread Polynesian culture that encompasses many different sub-cultural groups. These include Marquesans, Samonas, Niueans, Tongans, Cook Islanders, Hawaiians, Tahitians, and Maori. Polynesian people share similar language and cultural traits due to their shared ancestral history, also apparent in their tattooing traditions.
The enchanting black patterns adorning the bodies of Polynesians were illustrative of their culture, genealogy, spiritual journey, and social status. Polynesian symbols are not only exotic but also have deep cultural and spiritual meanings attached to them. Each symbol has something to say about the individual who wears it.
Polynesian myths claim that spirits often appeared to men as lizards, and this more than likely contributed to the significance of lizards and gecko tattoos. Another type of seashell design can represent two people joining as one in marriage. For men, it usually signified their strength, wealth, character, and levels of hierarchy. These tattoos indicated their rank, power, and ability to endure pain. Tattoos have been an essential element to Polynesian culture for many centuries.
It is a powerful symbol of resilience and a reminder of the strength and beauty of Polynesian heritage. In addition to the efforts within Polynesian communities, there are also organizations and institutions dedicated to the preservation of Polynesian tattoo traditions. These organizations conduct research, document traditional designs, and promote awareness of the cultural significance of Polynesian tribal ink. They also organize events and exhibitions to showcase the beauty and history of these tattoos.
