The first step in a traditional Polynesian tattoo is mapping out the design. Traditional Polynesian Tattooing Techniques The hui ari’i type is reserved for chiefs, whereas those of the hui to’a, hui ra’atira and ‘īato’ai, and manahune types are seen on war leaders, warriors, dancers, rowers and people of similar classes. In ancient times, you could distinguish the social class of the tattooed subject, as some were intended for gods, others for priests and still more for ari’i. If the tattoo is below the waist, then it goes down into the earth. Think of it as their social media profiles put right on their body.Ī tattoo placement above the waist indicates that the design is related to someone’s spiritual nature or the heavens. Because the traditional art represented a wide range of information about a person, the pictographs were one of the best ways of conveying this in a small space. Pictographic art is another design element that you’ll find in these tattoos. Polynésiens modernes mix wallis et futuna #tagaloatattoo #patutiki #tahititattoo #wallisetfutuna #futuna #tatouage #tatau #polynesien #polynesientattoo #tahitian #tahiti #inkboy #inked #tatouagepolynesien #maoritattoo #maori #inkjectaĪ post shared by Tagaloa tattoo on at 7:25pm PST For example, Tongan warriors had triangles and solid black parts that were placed down to their knees from their waists. The shapes, placement and other details change dramatically depending on the tattoo master, the location and other factors. Geometric patterns are the most common element you’ll see. While these are shared throughout many of the Polynesian cultures, each island had its own twist on it. There are a few artistic elements that are frequently found in Polynesian tattoos. For example, they might need to avoid certain types of food or follow specific directions on their activities for the days preceding the grand event.Įven today, Polynesian tattoos are deeply symbolic and play a profound role in how an individual presents themselves to the world. As the art of tattooing is a very spiritual process for everyone involved, the tattoo master had the right to restrict the person receiving the tattoo. Tattoo masters traveled to different islands and were provided with housing by the local people. The position was so demanding that they rarely had families. Regarded as spiritual leaders, these individuals had many responsibilities, from mastering the art of Polynesian tattooing to extensive travel within islands to perform their rites. The tattoo master was a highly-regarded position within the ancient Polynesian culture. It was widely practiced in French Polynesia and reached its developmental peak in the Marquesas Islands, where tattoos are known for vibrant, intricate designs and themes. The origins of tattooing likely extend back to the Māori civilization, and it seems to have flourished in the “Polynesian Triangle,” which includes the regions of New Zealand, Hawaii, Samoa, Easter Island, and the Cook Islands. They not only talked about the person’s rank in their culture but also their personality, work and many other personal details such as family ties and unique passions. Since Polynesia did not have written communication for a significant part of their early Polynesian history, the tattoo also acted as its own type of communication medium. While better travel options have made this a less tell-tale sign these days as natives move about from island to island, you can still see these touches from the tattoo artists themselves. Each of the islands of The Islands of Tahiti had designs that were unique to that area, so you have an easy visual cue to figure out someone’s origins. Polynesian Tattoo Designs for Every IslandĪ few centuries ago, one of the easiest ways to figure out where a Polynesian person came from was to look at their tattoos.
Discovering how these tattoos evolved from ancient history to today’s world is a fascinating journey through cultural traditions and spiritual beliefs. The work is often intricate and deeply meaningful, and it has successfully made the leap into the modern era, where you can see this artwork today across The Islands of Tahiti. Each Polynesian culture has its own take on tattoos, from the varied motifs to the tools and techniques. Tattooing has a long history in the Oceania region, with some of the earliest examples of Polynesian tattoo art showing up more than 2,000 years ago.
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