Polynesian Tattoo Designs – Find Your Ideal Design
Butterfly Tattoos
Skull Tattoos
Angel Tattoos
Thousands of tattoo designs are available on websites and in catalogues waiting to be selected. Tattoos are growing in popularity with Polynesian tattoo designs seeing the greatest increase in inking.
You need to understand that there are two distinct styles when it comes to Polynesian tattoo designs. The first of these is known as Etua. Etua have a strong spiritual and religious meaning to them. In addition they offer defense against deities through their alleged magical properties.
While the other style Enata can be described as natural designs which describe the person, their identity and status. This includes their social level, island of origin, occupation and history.
Below you will find a list of Polynesian tattoo designs and their respective meanings.
Shark teeth – Sharks’ teeth tattoos are for protection.
The turtle is a universal icon of longevity and fruitfulness.
Shells – Shells are a symbol of prosperity to the Polynesian people and it is possible that they were used as the earliest form of currency.
Shark Designs – Shark imagery is considered as an object of worship. Polynesian shark tattoos are used for a symbol for protection from any threats.
Gecko – Some think that the gecko have supernatural powers, and as such, are feared by and also held in high regard by many Polynesians. It is also believed that if a green gecko laughs then it is an awful omen of bad fortune and illness.
Tiki – Tiki is a god and he is commonly portrayed with his eyes shut. Tiki smells trouble prior to its arrival, and that is the main reason.
The Polynesian island inhabitants are wide spread. The cook islands, Samoa , Tonga, Easter island , Tahiti, French Polynesia and even Hawaii have a Polynesian heritage. The people across these islands developed into their own distinct cultures over thousands of years.
However what is fascinating is the cultural similarities that developed especially in the practice of tattoo artistry. However Polynesian tattoo designs of today do not mean as much in this day and age as people love them for the design rather than magical protection or a statement of status.
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