For many people, their introduction to the term ohana came from the Disney movie lilo & stitch. While this is a charming film that uses an unlikely friendship between a young Hawaiian woman and an alien creature to demonstrate the power of this concept, in Hawaiian culture ohana is more than just a cute phrase.
In the Hawaiian Islands, ohana means family, but is not limited to members of a nuclear family; instead, it refers to a broader network of cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws. In fact, one’s ohana can be made up of anyone: friends, family, and co-workers all fall under the umbrella of ohana, as long as they honor and respect the collective group and take care of one another.
being part of ohana means being part of a family, whether through blood relations or not.
There are those who say that ohana is a case of cultural construction that was invented in the 1950s as part of a political campaign to build a unified Hawaiian identity, however at this point the true origin of the word seems irrelevant . ohana is as real as the waves on the beach and the trees on the hills; unites the people of the islands in a way that transcends politics and pettiness. ohana is family and ohana is hawaii.
1. black and gray ohana tattoos
Tattoos, like all forms of self-expression, are personal and the style and method to be used in a new piece should always be taken into account. Some people prefer bright colors as a way to show off their vibrant personality and outgoing attitude. for others, however, a more subdued approach is more in line with their sensibilities and for these people, black and gray is a great option.
While black and gray work is suitable for a variety of different themes and subjects, it is particularly appropriate for these family-inspired pieces as it adds a sense of elegance and grace that can be difficult to achieve with a brighter color palette.
2. lilo and stitch ohana tattoos
“ohana means family, family means that no one is left behind or forgotten”. This simple phrase sums up the core of the concept of Ohana and is at the heart of this charming Disney film. Stitch is a hybrid alien creature created in a laboratory who yearns for freedom, until he escapes and brings him to Earth, where he meets Lilo.
As intergalactic forces try to track down Stitch, Lilo, a young Hawaiian girl, through Ohana’s perseverance, love, and power, helps Stitch change his ways and eventually become part of the family.
This is a beautiful movie that teaches the importance of love, family and forgiveness, while the unique animation and witty humor provide great ohana tattoo inspiration.
3. minimalist ohana tattoos
Sometimes less is more and these minimalist designs demonstrate this spirit perfectly. a talented artist is able to use a few well-placed lines, or a simple script, to perfectly capture the essential elements of a piece without the need for complex layouts or intricate compositions.
This understated approach is perfect for these ohana designs thanks to clean application and the powerful concept behind these meaningful tattoos, allowing wearers to proudly display the importance of family in their lives.
4. delicate ohana tattoos
While Western tattoo work began in the traditional American school of emphasizing bold lines, both for their stylistic appeal and their propensity for longevity, many people prefer a less harsh approach. for these people, a delicate application of ink reminiscent of pen-and-ink sketches and fountain pen calligraphy is more appealing than the pinup girls, anchors, and skulls common in traditional American flash.
Luckily for them, many artists appreciate this style and have become quite adept at using delicate lines to create interesting designs, many of which are perfectly suited for ohana tattoos.
5. ohana watercolor tattoos
A trend that has been gaining popularity in the tattoo world uses vibrant colors and a looser approach to perfectly recreate the effect of watercolor paints applied to the skin.
Often using black ink to create an outline or add a script, this approach is great for ohana tattoos thanks to the positive vibes it creates and the endless possibility of concepts and elements that can be incorporated into this style.
While these sparkly pieces are definitely not for everyone, there’s no doubt that these eye-catching tattoos will continue to turn heads for years to come.
6. ohana script tattoos
Adding a script to a tattoo is a great way to remove some of the ambiguity of meaning from the equation and let the observer know in the clearest terms what the tattoo means to the wearer.
The endless variety of styles, fonts, typefaces and scripts, from capital letters to the elaborate cursive of Chicano tattoos, means that there are a few letters for every tattoo.
7. ohana tattoos with flowers
People have tattooed flowers on their bodies for hundreds of years; roses, in particular, have been hanging on flash sheets in stores for as long as there have been flash sheets, or stores for that matter.
given the deep and varied meaning that we give to flowers, it is not surprising that people decide to tattoo them on their skin. Incorporating flowers into ohana tattoos is especially appropriate due to the hundreds of different tropical flowers found throughout the Hawaiian Islands, particularly the yellow hibiscus, the state flower.
8. innovative ohana tattoos
Tattoo artists are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the realm of ink applied permanently to the skin. From developing hyper-realistic pieces of color that appear to be popping out of the skin, to biomechanical work that makes you think twice, tattoos are constantly changing and evolving.
These are some great ohana pieces that allow artists to take a variety of approaches, in different styles to create unique tattoos dedicated to this Hawaiian idea of family.
9. family tattoos
As we now know, ohana means family, and as such, it’s no surprise that people choose to incorporate this Hawaiian word into tattoos depicting images of family members hugging each other. These sweet designs perfectly capture the essence of this concept, showing mothers and daughters, fathers and sons taking care of each other in these simple tattoos that demonstrate the strength of family ties.
ohana tattoo frequently asked questions
what do ohana’s tattoos mean?
Of all the different things that people use to get tattooed to commemorate and commemorate, family is right at the top and in the simplest sense, ohana means family. It’s no wonder then that people opt to have this Hawaiian word inked on their skin. however, it is deeper than that. ohana is a support network of the most important people in life, whether or not they are blood relatives.
This way ohana is more than family. Ohana eschews the concept of the family as a static unit, treating it instead as a malleable group that grows and changes. On our journey through life, our ohana gets bigger as we meet more people who share the same values and sense of responsibility for one another, gaining new members as they come along.
This is why ohana pieces are ideal for matching tattoos. There’s no better way to show the world that a group of people are “brothers (or sisters) from another mother” than with matching ohana-inspired designs.
