Marquesan tattoos

Tattoos are so ubiquitous around the world these days, it’s easy to barely even notice them at all. But there’s one place where the tattoos are so distinctive and artful they stand out from the inking seen anywhere else. That place is the remote and rugged Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia.

INTRODUCTION TO POLYNESIA The Pacific Ocean covers one-third of the planet and washes the shores of numerous island chains, including Polynesia that literally means "many islands." Roughly

A comprehensive guide to Marquesan tattoos: origins, history, meanings, common themes and tattoo ideas.

Polynesian tattoo indigenous primitive art. Illustration about abstract, curl, shape, sign, fashion, isolated, pattern, indigenous, floral, ornament, graphic, ornate - 116118744

A design for my bicep i am working on. uses the following motifs: 1) Top - Ipu: Vessel, bowl, cup or dish. Bowls or ipus have various uses and importance, some according to the materials used and by whom these utensils could be used by, often the tattoo being the designator in its use also. Its deepr meanings i will not go into here! :) The lower part of this design has PUPUA' the arms of a Tiki or person. 2) Bottom - Matahoata: The eyes of a person or TIKI, MATA meaning eyes. HOATA means…

So wearing a Marquesan tattoo is a way to show a distinction between the Polynesians, marking their rank and social importance.

Polynesian tattoo symbols explained: vai o Kena - Kena's pool

Learn about the Origin, History and Tradition of Polynesian Tattoo Art in this in-depth article

Description, origin and purpose of Polynesian tattoos through the study of their symbolism

Marquesan with classic tattoos, Papeete, Tahiti