Polynesian tattoos originate from the rich Polynesian culture. polynesia is a group of islands that stretch hundreds of kilometers into oceania. there are hundreds of islands in this triangular stretch that share similar languages, festivals and cultural elements. the largest of them all is the country of new zealand.
history of Polynesian tattoos
If you delve into the history of the Polynesians you will be surprised to learn how well they sailed the seas and discovered hundreds of new islands. it was not easy to survive in the sea for months. Navigating across the sea was never easy, but the Polynesians used the stars to their advantage.
The famous Disney movie Moana pays homage to the Polynesian culture. In the film, Dwayne Johnson plays the role of the mythical demigod Maui. The legendary Maui warrior is shown to have many tattoos on his body that tell the story of many battles he has fought. each tattoo depicts different phases of maui life. this wasn’t just an entertaining plugin.
Polynesians place a lot of importance on their tattoos and it is evident from the fact that the chief of the village or the lord of the tribe used to have the most tattoos compared to other men in the tribe. in fact, in ancient times, the village chief used to wear crown tattoos to indicate his place in the tribe.
There’s a reason Polynesian tattoos remain so popular. First of all, the atheistic and artistic designs of the Polynesian culture are not compared to other ancient cultures. Second, Polynesian tattoos branched out into Maori, Samoan, Hawaiian, and Aztec designs, which are also very popular with modern tattoo lovers.
You may have come across many great tribal tattoo designs on the internet. let me tell you that around a third of them are inspired by Polynesian cultures. If you have decided to get a Polynesian tattoo then you have come to the right page as here we will not only give you hundreds of unique Polynesian designs but also tell you what type of tattoo you should go for.
meanings of Polynesian tattoos
Polynesian tattoos were inspired by their mythology and the stories of their heroes. Polynesians held animals and plants in high esteem, considering them to be the sustenance of the planet. they believed a lot in keeping the ecosystem in balance. This is why even today New Zealand is among the least polluted countries in the world.
mainly Polynesian tattoo designs were based on –
gods: the Polynesians considered the sun, the moon and the sea to be gods. Even though there were clear differences in the traditions of East and West Polynesia, but one thing was common and that was a love of tattooing their gods. many circular designs indicated the sun and the moon. you can try a similar approach and add a unique touch by adding a galaxy in the background.
Animals: Polynesian tattoos often included wolves, turtles, kiwis, sharks, whales, snakes, lions, and even hyenas. you can choose any animal of your choice and try its Polynesian version.
Stars: Since constellations played a vital role in exploration, Polynesians also used to have star tattoos.
Heads: This fact may sound scary to you, but many Polynesian tribes used to cut off the heads of their enemies and use it as a sigil on their flags. When the British arrived in New Zealand, they found that many Polynesian tribes had well-preserved walls of enemy heads. Not only this, but many Polynesians used to have the spike tattoo on their heads on their body.
farm – the Polynesians respected nature and did their best to maintain the ecosystem during their reign. they will often try new farming methods to maintain soil fertility. Many explorers documented in their books that the Polynesians also had a strange affection for crop tattoos.
In general, you can try any tattoo design in the world and you will find a more attractive Polynesian version. check out these 100+ beautiful Polynesian designs that show how artistic those people were
polynesian tattoo designs
Full Sleeve Polynesian Tattoo Designs
Polynesian bracelet tattoos
polynesian tribal tattoos
tattoo designs with polynesian symbols
polynesian style flower tattoo designs
Polynesian tattoo ideas for men
Polynesian tattoos for women
Maori Polynesian tattoos
Also read: Maori tattoo designs
conclusion
Polynesian tattoo designs hold a special place for people from Oceania. if you are inspired by their culture, make sure you don’t disrespect them. therefore, having a tattoo design that pays homage to tribal people is a must.
references: Polynesian people
