The stomach or mid area, is where mana originates form and the navel represents independence due to the symbolic meaning associated to the cutting of the umbilical cord. Polynesian languages and a row of enata in a semi-circular form often represent the sky as well as the ancestors guarding their descendants. Polynesian Tattoos – Origins and Meaning. The tattoo artist held a hereditary and by the same vein, a very highly privileged position. walking and sitting, could irritate the inflamed skin and cause great pain. The placements of some elements on the body, such as genealogy tracks on the back of the arms, suggest that the back may be related to the past and the front to the future. Tongan warriors were tattooed form the waist to the knees with a series of geometrical patterns, mostly consisting of repeated triangle motifs, bands and also areas of solid black. For a very traditional design the skill of tattoo art was usually handed down through generations. Captain James Cook (as mentioned in our comprehensive guide to Maori tattooing) was the first navigator trying to explore the aforementioned Polynesian triangle. Lizards are very powerful creatures who bring good luck, communicate between the humans and the gods and who can access the invisible world. The skill is often passed from father to son, each artist learning the art after many years of serving as an apprentice. In particular, thighs relate to strength and marriage. Te Papa has many exhibitions, paintings and photographic works that preserve and curate the historical and cultural importance of Maori tattoo practice. For that reason, Polynesians treasure such tattoo design. Samoan Tattoos. In the past, people were trained as tattoo masters, not unlike the artists of modern times. Polynesian tattooing survived the missionaries’ attempts to wipe it out in the 18th and 19th centuries across the South Pacific and continues to be an integral part of our living cultures. Puku as a prefix or suffix is also used as an intensifier of the word it qualifies, enforcing the idea of strong arms. So sometimes, the ocean can be used to represent death and the beyond. It is the representation of the deep-set cultural values and the people themselves. OAHU’S FAVORITE DOLPHIN SWIM TOUR HAS RESUMED!  VIEW. Independence is a trait that is valued highly in Polynesian society (as in most others), however individualism is not. This part of the body relates to creativity, creation and making things. And the Polynesian tattoo is more than just ink on your skin or an art form. But the images were limited to things such as a series of delicate flower-like patterns (usually geometrical), on the hands and lower parts of the body. Another classic symbol that is used to represent the warrior nature is the spear. The turtle or honu is another important creature throughout all Polynesian cultures and has been associated with several meanings. The shoulders and upper arms above the elbow are associated with strength and bravery and they relate to people such as warriors and chiefs. These tattoos were not only made on men, but also on the womenfolk of the tribes. Maori tattoos are often done on the head. All symbols in Tahitian tattoos are based on the 4 elements (Ocean, Earth, Wind, Fire). This process usually took months. The men who could not endure the pain and abandoned their tattooing were left incomplete, wearing their mark of shame throughout their life. thanks for writing up on this. Maori mythology tells us that the first explorer to reach New Zealand around 1,000 years ago was Kupe, whose ancestral homeland was Hawaiki in Polynesia. You have shared the huge knowledge about The History Of Polynesian Tattoos. Human figures, otherwise known as enata in Marquesan language, represent men, women and sometimes gods. Legs and feet represent moving forward, transformation and progress. Tahiti tattoos and Marquesas style tattoos have many round, arched and circular motifs. However, for indigenous Polynesians, the significance is beyond body art to get a tattoo on the body. Tattoo arts are common in the Eastern Polynesian homeland of the Māori people, and the traditional implements and methods employed were similar to those used in other parts of Polynesia. Turtle tattoos are popular and play an important role throughout all Polynesian cultures. There are so many Polynesian tattoo designs out there that look terrific. To this day, a man’s tattoo extensively covers from mid-back, down the sides and flanks, to the knees. Polynesian culture is the culture of the indigenous peoples of Polynesia who share common traits in language, customs and society. However, Polynesian languages may actually vary slightly from each other, and in some cases they actually differ quite significantly. Back in the day, writing wasn’t imminent in Polynesians. He also brought a Tahitian named Ma’i to Europe and since then tattoo started to become rapidly famous, predominently because of the tattoos of Ma’i. There are different symbols related to those elements. However, to shy away from tattooing was to risk being labeled a coward or a pala’ai and to then be hated and insulted by the rest of the tribe or clan. The word ´taboo´ is also related to the Polynesian tattoo culture – it comes from the term tapu. The Polynesian people wear tats that represent their life story and reflect everything from their birthplace to … Most sharks can sense prey in the sand based on movement but for the most part the stingray is able to hide and for this reason, it’s image is classed as a symbol of protection. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. On the other hand, they can also bring death and bad omens to people who are disrespectful. Over-stylised enata joined together in a row of people holding hands form the motif called ani ata, which translates to “cloudy sky”. Samoan Tattoos Tattoos, or pe'a, demonstrates the strong ties many Samoans feel for their culture. Aotearoa is perhaps best known for its distinctive indigenous tattoo art that was introduced by Polynesian settlers who arrived by canoe in several waves between 1250 and 1300 CE. Southeast Asia and in turn, Polynesia are sub-regions of Oceania, comprising of a large grouping of over 1000 islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean, within a triangle that encompasses New Zealand, Hawaii and Easter Island as it’s corners. If you have a passion for tattoos, or if you are simply interested in Polynesia, you should try to learn more about the history of Polynesian tattoos. The tattooed skin would have to be washed in salt water, to keep infection at bay and then the body area had to be massaged to keep out impurities. For each symbol there is a sacred ceremony. This is a pattern or stylisation of the lizard symbol, and as mentioned above it does look rather similar to the human-form stylisation (enata). So in short, their placement has an influence on the meaning of a Polynesian tattoo. Here is a close up of one of the most important elements of the tiki, the eyes. Lizards and geckos are often called mo’o or moko and they play an important role in Polynesian myth. With that said, there are common styles and designs that you can find in most Polynesian tattoos. The word ‘Tattoo’ in fact stems from ‘Tatau’, ‘Ta Moko’, ‘Pe”a’ , ‘Tatatau’, words in the languages of the Polynesian tribal cultures; Hawaiian, Tahititian, and Marquesian to name a … One meaning of the word tiki is figure, so tiki is the name given to human-like figures that usually represent semi-gods as opposed to atua, who usually appear to men under the shape of animals such as lizards. If we look at the body as a reflection of society, we can understand why joints, being the points where different bones meet, represent different degrees of relation between individuals: the farther from the head (the chief of the family) the greater the distance in kinship, or the lower the status. This is one example of the Enata in its singular form. Without a doubt, each tattoo already symbolizes us much more, but in … Polynesian tattoos are an excellent choice for those wishing to get a tattoo. There is a considerable body of mythology regarding the origins of tattooing in Polynesian cultures. Sharks are one of the favourite forms that aumakua choose to appear to man. He sailed acr… Historically there was no writing in Polynesian culture so the Polynesian’s used tattoo art that was full of distinctive signs to express their identity and personality. Many people think of tattoos as something modern, and newly popularized. What you may not know is that Polynesian tattoos have a ton of history and significance behind them. Tattoos would indicate status in a hierarchical society as well as sexual maturity, genealogy and ones rank within the society. Honouring their highly revered tradition, Samoan tattoo artists made this tool from sharpened boars teeth fastened together with a portion of the turtle shell and to a wooden handle. In Tahiti, the Arioi, a class of professional entertainers, used tattoos ( tatau ) to mark the various ranks and status within their troupes. New features of tattooing, particularly in French Polynesia, ... continues to be a frequent occurrence in Polynesian culture. The tattoo was … Since the ocean is the primary source of food, it is no wonder it impacts so much tradition and myth. Other patterns can be derived by the inlay of the shell, this is one example of a shell-stylisation…. The stingray has the ability to hide in the underwater sands, mainly from sharks and is able to cover up with sand and lay still. Factors for continual inter-island migration involved overpopulation, reduction in resources, defeat in war, and the common human attribute of curiosity. The Polynesian islands that were first first visited were the Marquesas Islands, which were found by European explorers and the Spanish navigator, Alvaro de Mendana de Neira, in 1595. Polynesian Tattoos – Heavy in Symbolism . If they are placed upside down then they can be used to represent defeated enemies. Each tattoo artist has learned the craft over many years of serving as the apprentice of the master. This area goes from the thighs to the navel. Significance of Polynesian tattoos in different tribes. All people depending on the sea for sustenance know the important of sociality and socialising. Gods (atua) and minor spirits often appeared to men in the form of lizards and this may explain why the stylised element used to represent the lizard is very similar to the stylised symbol used to represent man. In places like Polynesia, tattoos have a very deep significance. The permanent marks left on someone after they have been tattooed would forever remember and commemorate their endurance and dedication to cultural traditions. However, it was not unusual for Samoan women to be tattoo too. wow. This article will give you an in-depth look into Polynesian Tattoo Art. Man’s quest in Polynesian legend is to find that union again, so the body is seen as a link between Rangi and Papa. Choosing a tattoo that has significance beyond aesthetics is a very spiritual process. Samoans have practiced the art of tattooing for both men and women for over 2,000 years. That said, it played a big role in the Polynesian culture. Since it’s renaissance in the 1980s, many lost arts were revived but it became very difficult to sterilise the wooden and bone tools that were used for the tattooing process so the Ministry of Health banned tattooing in French Polynesia in 1986. They vertically passed their knowledge and rarely spread it widely because of the sacred nature. Very well explained!! There is still debate over the definitive origins of Polynesian culture and that transfers also, to the notion of tattooing. Family and friends would assist in the healing process because even extremely simple tasks e.g. As an example, the Lapita design is something that you can find on almost every Polynesian island. Tattoos would indicate status during a hierarchical society also as sexual maturity, genealogy, and one’s rank within the community. This is why tattoos were so common in Polynesian culture, and why they are still common today. This was good on one side, but also caused most people to call any tattoo coming from the Pacific Ocean as "Maori". For the Tongan people, the tattoo carried profound social and cultural significance, as mentioned previously. The Samoan warrior’s tattoo began at the waist and extended to just below the knee. amazing article. The feet, being our contact with Papa, Mother Nature, are also related to concreteness and material matters. Stingray tattoos come in several variations and styles, the image can hold symbolic meanings. Choosing a tattoo that has significance beyond aesthetics is a … Although many years have passed, the tools and techniques of Polynesian tattooing have changed very little. facial tattoo. The ocean is a second home to Polynesian people and the place of rest when they leave for their last voyage. The word hono, meaning turtle in Marquesan language, has other meanings which encompass things such as joining and stitching together families and representing the idea of unity. The word hono, which suggests ‘turtle’ within the Marquesan language, has several meanings attached to it. Sequentially, the development of Polynesian culture can be divided into four different historical eras: Exploration and settlement (c. 1800 BC – c. AD 700) Paraphrasing a famous quote, not all tattoos are made equal-- Since the Maori rugby team, the All Blacks, took the world of rugby by storm, aspects of their culture like the haka and tattoos have come into the spotlight.
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