Some elements are related to a specific meaning based on where you put your tattoo. The placement of the Polynesian tattoo has a very important role in their tradition.

In women, tattoos were more subtle and delicate. The tattoo was mostly for men but some Samoan women wore this body art. Only priests that took a long time to specialize in the tattooing process were able to perform these rituals. Islanders went to multiple tattoo rituals throughout their whole life until the whole body was covered in the tattoo. The whole tattoo usually took a month to complete. The tattoo ritual was done in separate sitting, usually lasting a whole day, and they had a healing time between each one. But those people who wore tattoos prided themselves on the endurance of the pain and bravery. The tattooing process was slow and very painful. Tattoo designs included shapes, patterns, triangles, and solid black.

Tongan warriors were tattooed from the waist to the knees. Tattoo art in Polynesia first started in Tonga and Samoa. Since then, many lost arts were revived in the 1980s. But in the 18th century, the Old Testament strictly banned this action. A tradition of the Polynesian tattoo existed for over 2000 years. James Cook followed the behaviors of the Polynesian people and he called it tattaw. When James Cook first returned from his trip to New Zealand and Tahiti in 1771, the word „tattoo“ first appeared in Europe. Since many islands in the Pacific belong to Polynesian culture, tattoo styles vary. Almost everyone in Polynesian culture was tattooed. Their tattoo design was and, still is, full of distinctive signs. In history, Polynesian people used tattoo art to express their personality, identity, tribe, place within tribe, achievements, status, etc. The skill and art of tattooing are important aspects of Polynesian cultures. Genetically speaking, they are linked to indigenous peoples from regions of South Asia.

Polynesian cultures include Samoans, Marquanes, Niueans, Tongans, Cook Island Maori, Hawaiian Maoli, Tahitian Ma’ohi, and New Zealand Maori. If you want to learn the meanings behind Polynesian tattoos keep reading this post. Choose wisely the design and respect the culture from which it came. Tattoo artists strongly suggest researching the meaning behind this type of ink before you decide which element of the Polynesian tattoo you want. One of the most mystical and, at the same time, fascinating tattoos is the Polynesian tattoo. Tattoos were a tool to mark themselves as members of a tribe or specific culture and their status in it. Throughout history, people used tattoos to honor their tribes, nations, or just themselves.

Design your own polynesian tattoo