Tattoo in the Polynesian style on the forearm for men. Polynesia tattoo

The homeland of the Polynesian tattoo is the Samoan archipelago. The tribes living on it attached great importance to each line, geometric figure, curl of the pattern. It is from here that the name of a special style came from - tribal, the word is translated as tribal.

Polynesian tattoos were applied in the form of a sacred ritual. It was a sacrament that only a priest could perform. The magical action was preceded by many hours of prayers of the "master" - in this way he attracted otherworldly forces to help in his sacred rite. Of course, there could be no talk of tattoo machines, effective anesthesia or high-quality dyes - therefore, getting a tattoo was a painful and rather dangerous event. The body pattern was applied with a wooden stick, making small skin incisions to penetrate the paint deep into the body. That is why not everyone could decide on a tattoo, its very presence was already evidence of the strength of a person’s spirit. Therefore, tattoos in the Polynesian style often belonged to the warriors and the priests themselves.

Any wearable drawing carried a deep semantic content, it greatly influenced the fate of the owner. This feature of the perception of tattoo culture is due to the worldview of the ancient Maori tribe. The basis of sacred meaning is the unity of the physical and spiritual body. Polynesian tattoos acted as a kind of human passport - thanks to the patterns, it was possible to instantly determine which tribe the wearer belongs to, what his social status is, what actions he is proud of in his life, what he is known among others. The patterns are like carvings on wood - and it, in turn, was identified with the human body, symbolized life.

Polynesian tattoos for girls were endowed with a slightly different meaning. The girl received her first body drawing with the onset of puberty - it meant that the girl allowed her to marry. After marriage, a woman was given part of her husband's tattoo. And the absence of any wearable images could lead fellow tribesmen to the idea that the girl is intolerant of pain and will not be able to continue the race.

The appearance of such tattoos in Europe began with Tahiti, it is due to the sailors. After some time, they began to gain popularity in Asia, and today they are considered one of the most popular types of underwear patterns around the world. Even many traditional styles for us lose to "Polynesia".

Since the end of the 20th century, the new tribal style has received particular demand - it combines the antiquity of traditions and the freshness of tattoo execution.

One of the categories of tattoos that are especially popular in our time are Polynesian tattoos. Such drawings are bright and visible in the distance. But the hallmark of these images is not only the brightness and originality of the picture, but also a deep meaning. Polynesian tattoos will make you feel the strength and power of a native Polynesian. Despite the popularity of this type of tattoo, the style of drawing for many people remains new.

Polynesian sleeve style

Origin of Polynesian Style Tattoos

The Polynesian Islands are made up of a group of islands that are located in the Pacific Ocean. The most famous among them are Tahiti, Cook Island, Hawaii, Easter Island. Each person associates these islands with the exotic. It was here, on these fertile lands, that not only the original method of painting was born, but also the very concept of a tattoo. This word comes from "ta" - a picture and "atu" - a spirit.

There is a legend that the Polynesian god Tiki taught the inhabitants to put pictures on their bodies.

For Polynesians, wearable designs were not an easy way to decorate themselves. Tattoos showed the occupation of a person, his status among other inhabitants of the island, as well as individual characteristics and qualities. On the islands, the number of tattoos corresponded to the place that a person occupied in society. Modern tattoos do not demonstrate social status, but convey the atmosphere of Polynesia and the character of the people.

Shoulder of a man in Polynesian patterns

Originality of the drawing

Polynesian tattoo designs are made up of intricate designs and intricate shapes. The lines of the drawing meander or are applied straight, thus making up a separate composition or image. It can be geometric shapes, elements, animals, cosmic bodies and others. Each element of such a picture has its own meaning.

Important!

Only priests had the right to apply drawings on the human body. Since this process was not just a decoration of the body, but a mysterious rite that could be identified with an act of initiation.

Bracelet on the hand, made in the Polynesian style

Polynesian traditions

Tattooing, like the image itself, was an important ritual in the Polynesian Islands. The artist who painted the tattoo was a priest, for his work he always received gifts and, more importantly, the respect of the whole society. Since the process of applying a tattoo was lengthy, those who wished to receive a tattoo and deserved it lived in the priest's house for a long time. "Clients" were constantly praying.

A large number of large-scale tattoos could only have leaders and their inner circle. For others, the drawings were much simpler. Women were tattooed on their lips to keep them from aging.

I'm crazy about Polynesian tattoos. And I own one myself. This drawing looks elegant, not trivial and always attracts the attention of others. In addition, such a tattoo acts as a kind of totem and gives self-confidence and strength.

Artem, St. Petersburg.

Polynesian style tattoos on the forearm

Polynesian tattoos: a variety of pattern options

The process of drawing a picture, like the image itself, has many options that have developed traditionally. Moko's technique differed from the well-known technique of piercing an image. For its implementation, a chisel was used to obtain incised wounds.

Turtle tattoo on the back, made in the Polynesian style

Such drawings were preferred in the Maori tribe, other inhabitants of the Polynesian islands were more traditional. Maori are also known for their tattoo motifs: pu-kauvae (spiral patterns on the chin), pae-pae (spiral-shaped ornaments on the cheeks) and others. Such drawings determined the status of the Polynesian.

Polynesian tattoo sketches differ from other body designs in their clarity of lines and shapes. This tattoo is very reminiscent of woodcarving, creates the effect of a three-dimensional image. Elements in tattoos are quite diverse: from spirals and lines to images of representatives of the animal world. It was the richness of the flora and fauna of Polynesia that became the source for wearable drawings in the form of fish, moon, stars, ferns and other symbols. Images and additional details are placed symmetrically on the body. This gives a special originality and charm to the wearable pattern.

Polynesian leg tattoo

The meaning of tattoos

Polynesian tattoo photos are freely available both on the web and in tattoo parlor catalogs. These drawings can tell a lot about their owner. Their symbols are quite deep and accentuate the main traits of a person's character. Often such a tattoo can illustrate a person's life credo, parting words, a kind of totem and amulet.

Modern lovers of underwear painting, choosing Polynesian tattoos, often miss their meaning and use the drawing as a decorating element of the image.

The shark symbolizes omnipotence, power and strength, purposefulness. Since the shark is perceived as a sacred animal with power and fearlessness. Such a pattern is designed to protect the owner.
Tiki is a popular symbol depicting Polynesian masks. Such drawings protect the owner from external threats, as well as from evil spirits. The eyes on the mask look in different directions, which symbolizes attention and protection.
Turtle - longevity, fertility. Such a pattern is a symbol of family and protection.
Moon- female version of the Polynesian tattoo. Since the Moon has become a symbol of femininity, feminine and abundance.
Sun, as in other tattoos, embodies eternity and life. The combination of two luminaries - the Moon and the Sun - focuses on the fact that the impossible is possible.
Lizards, geckos - a symbol of supernatural power.

Blackwork in Polynesian style on the leg

Each person, before getting a tattoo, thought about the appropriateness of the act. I'm not an exception. Therefore, having nevertheless made a decision, I determined for myself the category of tattoos, which optimally expressed my essence and admiration for the art of body painting. Who also has not decided, I advise you to consider this category as an option.

Alina, Omsk

Video: the best tattoos in the Polynesian style

Sketches of Polynesian tattoos

Tattoos in the Polynesian style among Europeans gained popularity relatively recently, in the first half of the twentieth century. Of course, they came into fashion thanks to their complex, bizarre and unusually beautiful ornament, consisting of spirals, waves, zigzags, geometric shapes. Even modern world celebrities (for example, John Duane) were seduced by such tattoos.

But few people think about their true, original, purpose. In the archaic Polynesian culture, tattoos served not just to decorate the body, but they had a deep sacred meaning. With their help, contact was established with the transcendent upper world.

The very process of tattooing was a sacred sacrament, a rite that only a priest could perform. Each drawing had its own meaning, influencing the fate of the wearer. Such a perception of body painting in the Polynesian picture of the world goes back to the ideas and rituals of the ancient Maori tribe.

A tattoo in Polynesia was a kind of business card or, more precisely, played the role of an identity document. She reported on what kind, and at the same time the tribe, a person belongs to, what social status he has, what feats and worthy deeds he performed in life, what he became famous for.

The sketches of Polynesian tattoos, captured in the photo, resemble ancient artistic woodcarving, which not only performs an aesthetic function, but is endowed with great sacred loading. The tree in the primitive, especially totemic consciousness was also deified, spiritualized, identified with the human body.

The human body in mythological representations was likened to the world, the Universe and in the astral understanding was divided into zones of intersection of various energy flows. It was on these areas that drawings were applied in order to block the influence of, for example, negativity, bring good into life, correct character, change or improve fate, as if rewriting what was destined by it. The result directly depended on the image and the symbolism associated with it.

in the ancient Polynesian sense, it personifies protection, an impenetrable energy shell that will not let any evil forces into life. It also brings health, family strength, longevity.
means eternity, interconnection and continuity of life, as well as death. Attracts life-giving warmth, Happiness, kindness, success in planned enterprises.
considered a powerful amulet. Protects from negativity. Gives inner freedom, sophistication and attractiveness.
gives power, power, willpower and perseverance. Protects from enemies and all harm.
(and at the same time - gecko, iguana) reveals higher knowledge, the gift of clairvoyance, enhances supernatural abilities.

And today, in our technogenic and civilized age, tattoos on some Polynesian islands have not lost their sacred meaning and are used to communicate with higher deities.

Polynesian style tattoo video

According to one version, the history of tattooing began at the end of the 19th century with the invention of the electric tattoo machine. But this is only one of the stages of its development. It all started much earlier, on the islands of Polynesia. Even the name itself appeared as a derivative of the Polynesian word “tatau”, which means “drawing”.
And, although art was isolated from most continents, it originated there. The task of “tatau” was quite important: to tell about the status of the owner, to protect, to reveal his inner potential. Symbols in Polynesia were applied to the arms, shoulders, shins ... Almost the entire body, including the face, although this was not considered an adornment. In addition, it was more of a male privilege - some drawings had to be earned, proving superiority and strength. And the custom of tattooing was considered sacred.

How did the tribals and symbols of Polynesia spread to Europe? The credit belongs to sailors traveling all over the world. It was they who adopted the tradition from the Indians and became the first owners of old school tattoos. And also among the sailors, the custom was born to look at the drawings as good luck charms. Of course, their ideas had nothing to do with Polynesia, but they seriously influenced history as a whole.

Men's tattoos in the Polynesian style

Beautiful, original ornaments, consisting of curves, spirals and waves, attract people with extraordinary imagination. These are strong, bright personalities who strive for development. Among them are actors, athletes, musicians, born leaders, and more. As in the islands of Polynesia, the drawings are selected according to the nature and goals of the customer. For example, the shark symbolizes rapacity, strength and independence. And the turtle - calmness, harmony, longevity. At the same time, both of them are characterized by wisdom. And both of them fit perfectly on the shoulder. Just tell the master about your wishes, and he will create a unique sketch for you.

Polynesia for girls

Women are very sensitive to the world around them. Intuition, wisdom, love helps in this ... That is why Polynesia tattoos are so suitable for them - they reflect their essence and help to unlock their potential. Even a large tattoo on the thigh, back will be feminine and sexy - ethnic patterns repeat the natural curves and relief. It is only important to place them correctly! Therefore, we recommend contacting experienced craftsmen - professionals in their field!