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Polynesian Tattoo: History, Meanings and

Traditional Designs

16-21 minutes

This article will give you an in-depth look into Polynesian

Tattoo Art

What is Polynesian Tattoo Art?

The History of Polynesian Tattoo

The Process, Main Focus and Tradition

Designs, Symbols and Meanings

Source: The Polynesian Tattoo Handbook

The origins of Polynesian society

There is still debate over the definitive origins of Polynesian
culture and that transfers also, to the notion of tattooing.

One thing that is certain is that the term Polynesian or

Polynesia incorporates many tribes including Marquesans,
Samoans, Niueans, Tongans, Cook Islanders, Hawaiians,
Tahitians and Maori. All of these tribes are genetically linked
to the indigenous peoples from parts of Southeast Asia.

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.
The people who inhabit the islands of Polynesia are termed
Polynesians and they share many similar traits including
language, culture and beliefs.

The Polynesian Triangle

However, Polynesian languages may actually vary slightly

from each other, and in some cases they actually differ quite
significantly. There are some words, which are basically the
same throughout all Polynesian languages, reflecting the
deepest core of all Polynesian cultures. Moana (ocean) and
mana (spiritual force and energy) are two terms that
transcend all Polynesian cultures.

These words are rather similar and this reflects how closely
related Polynesian cultures are with the ocean, as they believe
that the ocean guarantees life.

The Origins of Tattoo Art in Polynesia

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. Tattoos would
indicate status in a hierarchical society as well as sexual
maturity, genealogy and ones rank within the society. Nearly
everyone in ancient Polynesian society was tattooed.
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. However, the European navigators showed little interest
due to the lack of valuable resources.

Captain James Cook (as mentioned in our comprehensive

guide to Maori tattooing) was the first navigator trying to
explore the aforementioned Polynesian triangle.

In 1771, when James Cook first returned to Tahiti and New

Zealand from his first voyage, the word “tattoo” appeared in
Europe. He narrated the behaviours of the Polynesian people
in his voyage, which he called tattaw. 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.

Another legend is that European sailors liked the Polynesian

tattoos so much that they spread extremely fast in Europe
because the sailors emblazoned the tattoos on their own
bodies.

The actual tradition of Polynesian tattooing existed more than

2000 years ago, however in the 18th century the Old
Testament strictly banned the operation. 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.

The revival of the art and practice of tattooing, particularly in

Tonga, in recent years is predominantly referred to as a result
of the work of scholars, researchers, visual artists and tattoo
artists.

Tonga and Samoa

It was in Tonga and Samoa that the Polynesian tattoo
developed into a highly refined art. 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.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson proudly displays for his large,

traditional Polynesian tattoo

Priests who had undergone a long period of training who

followed strictly prescribed rituals and taboos that took place
during the tattooing process. For the Tongan people, the
tattoo carried profound social and cultural significance, as
mentioned previously.

In ancient Samoa, tattooing also played a hugely important

role in both reglious rituals and warfare. The tattoo artist held
a hereditary and by the same vein, a very highly privileged
position. He usually tattooed groups of six to eight (usually
men) during a ceremony attended by friends and relatives.
The Samoan warrior’s tattoo began at the waist and extended
to just below the knee.

However, it was not unusual for Samoan women to be tattoo

too. 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.
Around 200AD voyageurs from Samoa and Tonga settled in
the area of Marquesas. Over a period of more than 1000 years
one of the most complex Polynesian cultures evolved –
Marquesan.

Marquesan Art
Marquesan art and architecture were highly developed and
Marquesan tattoo designs, which often covered the whole
body, were the most elaborate in Polynesia.

Tools of the trade

Traditional Polynesian tattooing tools

Although many years have passed, the tools and techniques

of Polynesian tattooing have changed very little. For a very
traditional design the skill of tattoo art was usually handed
down through generations. Each tattoo artist, or tufaga, was
said to have learned the craft over many years of serving as
an apprentice.

The advent of Christianity in Tonga witnessed the loss of

several indigenous practices such as the practice of tattooing.
Although the art of tattooing was retained in the nation if
Samoa, it was completely erased in Tonga.

In Samoa, the tradition of applying the tattoo by hand has

been unbroken for over 2000 years. Tools and techniques
have hardly differed whatsoever. The skill is often passed from
father to son, each artist learning the art after many years of
serving as an apprentice.

A young artist in training often spent hours at a time, or even

days, tapping designs into sand or bark-cloth using a special
tattooing comb or au. 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.

Pain

James Samuela tattooing a man in the traditional Tahitian way in

French Polynesia

The permanent marks left on someone after they have been

tattooed would forever remember and commemorate their
endurance and dedication to cultural traditions. The pain was
extreme and the risk of death by infection was a huge concern
for many people. 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 men who
could not endure the pain and abandoned their tattooing were
left incomplete, wearing their mark of shame throughout their
life.

There were few men who refused the traditional pe’a, the
intricate tattoo that covered their body from mid-torso to the
knees. The artist would use a mallet to tap the teeth of the
ink-laden comb into the man’s flesh, following only simple
marks as guidelines.

A tattooing session typically lasted until dusk or until the men

could no longer stand the pain and would resume the
following day, unless the inflamed skin needed a few days to
heal. The entire process could last up to three or even four
months. Afterwards, the man’s family would help him to
celebrate, despite the pain, by throwing a party and the
tufuga smashed a water vessel at his feet, marking the end of
the painful ordeal.

The healing process

This process usually took months. 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. Family and friends would assist in the healing
process because even extremely simple tasks e.g. walking and
sitting, could irritate the inflamed skin and cause great pain.
Within six months, the distinctive designs would begin to
appear on their skin but it would take almost a year to
completely heal.

Placement on the body

Placement on the body plays a very important role in
Polynesian tattooing. There are a few elements that are
related to specific meanings based on where they are placed.
So in short, their placement has an influence on the meaning
of a Polynesian tattoo.

Humans are said to be descendants or children of Rangi

(Heaven) and Papa (Earth), which were said to once be
united. Man’s quest in Polynesian legend is to find that union
again, so the body is seen as a link between Rangi and Papa.
The upper part of the body is related to the spiritual world
and heaven, whilst the lower part of the body is related to the
world and to earth.

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.

Gender-wise, left is usually associated with women and the

right to men.

1. Head

The head is said to be the contact point to Rangi, and so is

related to themes such as spirituality, knowledge, wisdom and
intuition.

2. Higher trunk

This area is from just above the navel to the chest and is
related to themes such as generosity, sincerity, honour and
reconciliation. Some may have noticed that this area is placed
directly between Rangi and Papa, in order to have harmony
between them balance must exist in this area.

3. Lower trunk

This area goes from the thighs to the navel. This part of the
body directly relates to life’s energy, courage, procreation,
independence and sexuality. In particular, thighs relate to
strength and marriage. 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.

Independence is a trait that is valued highly in Polynesian

society (as in most others), however individualism is not. All
people depending on the sea for sustenance know the
important of sociality and socialising. Polynesian people built
their culture around this. Family thus becomes a larger group
of people that includes all relatives, friends and neighbours,
all of which play an important role.

A famous word to define this larger family, comes from Hawaii,

the word is ‘Ohana which indicates the familiar group of
people who cooperate in the growing, teaching and feeding of
children.

4. Upper arms and shoulders

The shoulders and upper arms above the elbow are

associated with strength and bravery and they relate to
people such as warriors and chiefs. The Maori word kikopuku
used to designate this part of the union of the words kiko
(flesh, body) and puku (swollen). Puku as a prefix or suffix is
also used as an intensifier of the word it qualifies, enforcing
the idea of strong arms.

5. Lower arms and hands

From below the elbow, the same word is used to refer both to
arm and hand. This part of the body relates to creativity,
creation and making things.

6. Legs and feet

The same word is used to refer both to leg and foot. Legs and
feet represent moving forward, transformation and progress.
They are also related to separation and choice. The feet,
being our contact with Papa, Mother Nature, are also related
to concreteness and material matters.

Joints

Joints often represent union, contact. 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. Ankles and wrists represent
a tie and bracelets placed there often symbolise commitment.
Knees are often related to chiefs (to kneel before them).

Side note:

Traditional positioning should not keep you from placing your

tattoos on any part of the body you may feel appropriate for
you: we believe a design should be meaningful to his owner
before anyone else.

Polynesian images and motifs

1. Enata (singular)
Human figures, otherwise known as enata in Marquesan
language, represent men, women and sometimes gods. They
can be placed within a tattoo to represent people and their
relations. If they are placed upside down then they can be
used to represent defeated enemies. This is one example of
the Enata in its singular form.

2. Enata (pattern)

Over-stylised enata joined together in a row of people holding

hands form the motif called ani ata, which translates to
“cloudy sky”.
Polynesian languages and a row of enata in a semi-circular
form often represent the sky as well as the ancestors
guarding their descendants.

3. Shark teeth (simplified)

Shark teeth or niho mano deserve a space of their own.

Sharks are one of the favourite forms that aumakua choose to
appear to man. They represent protection, guidance and
strength as well as fierocity however, they are also symbols of
adaptability in many cultures. This is an example of simplified
shark teeth.
4. Shark teeth (complex)

Below are stylisations of shark teeth, in their more complex

form as they may be seen in a tattoo.

5. Spearhead

Another classic symbol that is used to represent the warrior

nature is the spear. Spear-heads are very symbolic in relation
to sharp items too and they can be used to represent the
sting of some animals.

6. Spearhead (pattern)

Often, this is stylised as a row of spear-heads, below is one

variant.

7. Ocean (simplified)

The ocean is a second home to Polynesian people and the

place of rest when they leave for their last voyage.
Coincidentally, turtles are said to join the departed guiding
them to their destinations. So sometimes, the ocean can be
used to represent death and the beyond. Since the ocean is
the primary source of food, it is no wonder it impacts so much
tradition and myth. All the creatures living in the ocean are
associated with several meanings, usually mutated from their
characteristic traits and habits. The ocean and the sea can be
represented by waves. Here is the simplified version.

8. Ocean

The stylisations of the ocean can often represent ideas such

as life, change and continuity through change. Waves can also
be used to represent the world beyond or the place where the
departed go and rest on their last voyage.

9. Tiki

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.

The tiki can also represent deified ancestors, priests and

chiefs who became semi-gods after their passing. They
symbolise protection, fertility and they serve as guardians.

By stylizing the figure over and over there has been a

simplified version that has been reached, called the “brilliant
eye” where the eyes, nostrils and ears appear to be the
prominent elements.

Here is an example of a tiki face

10. Tiki eyes

Tiki figures can be portrayed in a front view (sometimes with

their tongue stretched out as a symbol of defiance to
enemies). Here is a close up of one of the most important
elements of the tiki, the eyes.

11. Turtle

The turtle or honu is another important creature throughout

all Polynesian cultures and has been associated with several
meanings. The first being the fact that turtles symbolise
health, fertility, longevity in life, foundation, peace and rest.
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.

Contrary to what is sometimes believed, turtles drawn

upwards do not imply that they are taking the soul of a dead
person into the other world. To represent this, a human
figured must be placed on or near the shell of the turtle.

12. Turtle (shell pattern)

Other patterns can be derived by the inlay of the shell, this is

one example of a shell-stylisation…

13. Lizard

Lizards and geckos are often called mo’o or moko and they
play an important role in Polynesian myth. 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.
Lizards are very powerful creatures who bring good luck,
communicate between the humans and the gods and who can
access the invisible world. On the other hand, they can also
bring death and bad omens to people who are disrespectful.

14. Lizard (pattern)

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).

15. Stingray

Stingray tattoos come in several variations and styles, the

image can hold symbolic meanings. 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. 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. Other themes that go
hand in hand with the sting-ray image are adaptation,
gracefulness, peacefulness, danger, agility, speed and stealth.

We specialise in Polynesian and Maori

Tattoo Artwork

If you’d like to see more of our

polynesian work, head on over to our
Polynesian Tattoo Gallery or contact us
to talk about your ideas!
Source: The Polynesian Tattoo Handbook