Hawaiian Tribal Tattoos

Tattoos have always played an important role in the Western Polynesian culture and, since, Hawaiian culture is no different from that of any other Pacific Island, tattoos have an important part to play in Hawaiian culture as well. In Hawaiian culture, tattooing has been practiced for thousands of years where they were known as kakau in the native language. They have been done as a form of celebration, means of self-expression and also to denote membership to the tribe the person belongs to. The tools used to draw these tattoos were not the technological machines used these days but were tools borrowed from nature. The most common tools used were bird beaks, claws and fish bones. Initially, the designs used to make tribal Hawaiian tattoos were geometric and symmetrical designs. However, with the passage of time, pictorial forms such as images of animals and birds also became a part of Hawaiian tattoos.

Hawaiian Tribal Tattoos Meanings

The meanings attached to native Hawaiian tattoos have always been very significant. The tribal people attached a lot of significance to these tattoos, hence, they were very particular about the tattoo designs. They got the tattoos made for various causes such as mourning, protection from evil spirits, decoration or as a part of celebration or social status. Some people chose to get tattoos made for personal identification. The importance of the tattoos in Hawaiian culture can be gauged from the fact that the literal translation of the word for tattoo in Hawaiian means covering and indicates hierarchy in the society.

When tattoos were made on a man's body, they were seen as a sign of status and importance. Native Hawaiian designs for men are made on the legs, arms, face and torso, whereas women choose to get these tattoos made on the hands, wrists, feet, fingers, and calves. Facial tattooing was also common in the Hawaiian islands and tattoos can be found on the brow ridge, cheek, cheek bone as well as the chin.

Hawaiian Tribal Tattoo Designs

Native Hawaiian tattoo designs often have hidden meanings which are generally deep and personal. This is what sets these tattoos apart from their Pacific Island neighbors. Now let's take a look at the tattoo designs native to Hawaii.

Among Hawaiian tattoos, flower designs are often incorporated. However, these flower tattoos may not appeal to everyone as these designs may not particularly be feminine despite the floral components. The most popular and commonly used Hawaiian flower tattoo design is the hibiscus tattoo with the yellow hibiscus being the state flower of Hawaii. These flowers can be made in yellow, red, pink, white and purple colors. The other flower which is also very common is the orchid, especially, ghost orchid designs. Ghost orchids are very beautiful flowers and have rather peculiar features. Since orchids are an endangered species, the symbolic meaning of orchid tattoos is "rare beauty". Although orchids are seen as tattoos for girls, they are more commonly made on men.

Sea creatures also have their own place in native Hawaiian tattoo traditions. Dolphins are very popular amongst all the creatures. They are said to be an expression of joy. Sea turtles also find a special place in the world of Hawaiian tattoos. Symbolism of fertility is attached to the sea turtles but they all have specific meanings to the person they are inked on.

The lizard is another powerful tattoo design which represents both fear and respect for the people of Hawaii. The other prominent design is that of arrows and bows. Both arrows and bows have a special place in Hawaiian culture as equipment used by the people to hunt.

If you are proud of your Hawaiian heritage then you can choose one of the several Hawaiian tribal tattoos. In case you have visited the Hawaii islands in recent times and would like to pay homage to the culture which has mesmerized you, can there be a better option than a getting a native Hawaiian tattoo?

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