HAWAIIAN TATTOOS

 

Hawaii islands belongs to the Polynesian islands, all of which have a very rich and old tradition of tattoos. Most of the modern day tattoos are based on the traditional tribal tattoos from the Polynesian islands. The word for tattoo in the Hawaiian language is uhi, which means covering the body. There is a belief that the western world was introduced to the world of tattoos as a body art only after Captain James Cook made his famous journey to the Hawaii islands.

Hawaiian Tattoo History

In ancient Hawaii, tattoos were made as an indicator of the importance of the person in the hierarchy of the society they lived in. Each of the tattoo which was made had a meaning attached to it and the tattoos were displayed on various parts of the body. Hawaiian tattoo designs were made on the hands, feet, fingers, calves, back, shoulders, chest, etc. Face tattoos were rather very popular in the Hawaiian islands. Face tattoos were made on the brow ridge, cheek bone, cheeks and chin.

Hawaiian tattoos have a deep and personal meaning and they were often made for individual identification and not only for ceremonial purposes, as was common in the other islands of Polynesia. Read on Polynesian tattoo. The number of tattoos on a person’s body was directly proportional to the wealth possessed by the individual. Tattoos were not worn only by common man, but they were also worn by defeated warriors and convicted criminals. In a way this was a method used to brand people. Bird beaks, bird claws and large fish bones were used to make the tattoos. Black ink was used to make tattoos in the Hawaiian islands. The designs used were bold and also big in size.

Hawaiian Tattoo Meanings

A lot of significance was attached to the tattoos in the Hawaiian islands. Since a lot of significance was attached to the tattoos, the people were very particular about the tattoo designs. The tattoos were made for various causes. They were made to mark mourning, for protection from the evil spirits, decoration or as a part of celebration, not to forget social status and personal identification. Click to read on Hawaiian tribal tattoos and Polynesian tribal tattoos.

Hawaiian Tattoo Designs

The Hawaiian tattoo symbols often have hidden meanings that are generally much deeper and personal than what it appears visually. Lizards (geckos) and sea turtles are very popular designs in Hawaiian tattoos. Sea turtles symbolize fertility, while geckos are symbol of fear and respect. Along with the sea turtles, there are other sea creatures, which also have their own place in Hawaii tattoos. Dolphins are among popular sea creatures used for tattoos. They are looked upon as an expression of joy. After dolphins, sharks have a special place in Hawaiian tattoos. Shark tattoos are made by people who have chosen a shark as their personal God. It also denotes protection against attacks from shark.

Flower tattoos have a special place in Hawaiian tattoos. However, these tattoo designs may not always appeal to everyone, as these designs may not particularly be feminine despite the floral components in them. Hibiscus tattoos are the most popular and commonly used Hawaiian flower tattoo design. It can be attributed to the fact that the yellow hibiscus is the state flower of Hawaii. The colors used to make these tattoos are yellow, red, pink, white and purple. Among flower tattoos, orchid tattoos are also very popular, especially ghost orchid tattoo designs. Ghost orchids are beautiful and have rather peculiar features. Now that orchids are endangered, the symbolic meaning of orchid tattoos is ‘rare beauty”.

People often chose to get Hawaiian tattoos as they are proud of their heritage. They are also made to show their liking for the Hawaiian culture and heritage after a visit to the islands. There are a number of celebrities who sport Hawaiian tattoo designs. As always, before getting a tattoo done, make sure you have thought well about the design you want, as tattoo removal is a painful and tedious process. That being said, once you have made your decision, the above Hawaiian tattoo ideas can be the base you choose your own unique tattoo from.

Tattoos of Flowers - For Both Men and Women

Tattoos of Flowers


Hawaiian Flower Tattoo
The majority of individuals both men and women love "flower tattoos". There are certainly a few men out there that may not consider a flower tattoo as a design, but there are some that do. Besides what is there not to like about a flower tattoo? Flowers are beautiful and very pretty, flowers can symbolize many things in life.

Lily Tattoo



Foot Flower Tattoo
People who love flower tattoos commonly have a spiritual bond with nature. They are not only aware of the beauty that surrounds them but can also see that simple things can lead to happiness just as well. Sometimes you just have to open your eyes to realize, the pleasures of life you been searching for all this time, has always surrounded you.

Waves and Flowers Tattoo


Designs of flowers as tattoo
If you want to express love or something significant in your life flower tattoos can represent these things. Although mostly women get tattoos of flowers, a few men has found the design very meaningful as well. Tattoos of a flower are not set to be tattooed by only one gender, it is a gift from mother earth, a beautiful natural ornament, that is to be shared by both men and women.

Tattoos of Flowers - For Both Men and Women

Tattoos of Flowers


Hawaiian Flower Tattoo
The majority of individuals both men and women love "flower tattoos". There are certainly a few men out there that may not consider a flower tattoo as a design, but there are some that do. Besides what is there not to like about a flower tattoo? Flowers are beautiful and very pretty, flowers can symbolize many things in life.

Lily Tattoo



Foot Flower Tattoo
People who love flower tattoos commonly have a spiritual bond with nature. They are not only aware of the beauty that surrounds them but can also see that simple things can lead to happiness just as well. Sometimes you just have to open your eyes to realize, the pleasures of life you been searching for all this time, has always surrounded you.

Waves and Flowers Tattoo


Designs of flowers as tattoo
If you want to express love or something significant in your life flower tattoos can represent these things. Although mostly women get tattoos of flowers, a few men has found the design very meaningful as well. Tattoos of a flower are not set to be tattooed by only one gender, it is a gift from mother earth, a beautiful natural ornament, that is to be shared by both men and women.

Tattoos of Flowers - For Both Men and Women

Tattoos of Flowers


Hawaiian Flower Tattoo
The majority of individuals both men and women love "flower tattoos". There are certainly a few men out there that may not consider a flower tattoo as a design, but there are some that do. Besides what is there not to like about a flower tattoo? Flowers are beautiful and very pretty, flowers can symbolize many things in life.

Lily Tattoo



Foot Flower Tattoo
People who love flower tattoos commonly have a spiritual bond with nature. They are not only aware of the beauty that surrounds them but can also see that simple things can lead to happiness just as well. Sometimes you just have to open your eyes to realize, the pleasures of life you been searching for all this time, has always surrounded you.

Waves and Flowers Tattoo


Designs of flowers as tattoo
If you want to express love or something significant in your life flower tattoos can represent these things. Although mostly women get tattoos of flowers, a few men has found the design very meaningful as well. Tattoos of a flower are not set to be tattooed by only one gender, it is a gift from mother earth, a beautiful natural ornament, that is to be shared by both men and women.

Hawaiian Rune Tattoos

Like many other Polynesian-descended cultures, the native Hawaiians practiced tattooing. The most heavily tattooed members of the tribe would be the royal family, followed by other court officials and persons who were in the royal family by marriage.

Hawaiian Tattoos

The designs were monochromatic, tattooed in black against brown skin. The patterns and layout were strongly geometric and there were many shapes and symbols which represented the natural island world: stones, waves, fish, sharks, turtles, rain, sun, birds.

Hawaiian Rune Tattoos

Tattoos were traditionally created by using a tool much like a sharpened rake to prick the designs. The tattoo tool would be hit by another stick to make the punctures. Assistants helped by stretching the skin for the tattoo artist and by wiping away the blood.

Hawaiian Rune Tattoo

Flower Tattoos, Hawaiian Hibiscus Flower

"Flower Tattoo" Tattoo originally uploaded by Tattoo Colors Hawaiian tattoo design of a hibiscus flower and the Hawaii Islands. The hibiscus is one of the most popular among flower tattoos.The island is tattooed in tribal designs of patterns that are very unique to the Polynesian cultures. Technorati Tags: tattoo,tattoos, tattoo ideas, tattoo designs, flower tattoos, flower tattoo designs

Hawaiian Tattoos

Hawaiian tattoos and body art have a history of thousands of years and experience a renewed popularity since the 90s, together with other tribal tattoo styles. Aloha!

There’s more to Hawaii than flowers and leis, after all – the Hawaiian islands are part of a larger chain, the Polynesian Islands, which include other island cultures such as the Maori and the Samoan, tribal communities with a rich tattoo tradition.

Tribal Hawaiian arm tattoo
All of these cultures were famous for their tattoo art. Modern tribal tattoos are based on the traditional tattoo art of the Polynesian islands, and Hawaiian arm tattoos represent both the popular culture of Hawaii and the older tribal traditions.

In a sense, it’s natural that Hawaiian tattoos are so popular right now. Other Hawaiian designs and styles – like Hawaiian shirts – have had their day and currently have a strong retro appeal. Hawaiian arm tattoos are also a manifestation of the resurgence of ‘Tiki’ culture, so popular in the 1950s and 60s.

Hawaiian Tribal Tattoos
Tattooing was an important aspect of the Hawaiian culture, just like anywhere on the Polynesian islands. The Hawaiians even have tattoo gods and each time a member of the community gets a tattoo, prayers had to be done in the temple.

Hawaiian tribal tattoo art, known as Kakau, has been practiced for thousands of years and for a variety of purposes:
* Personal identification: unlike other Polynesian tattoo styles, Hawaiian tattoos are used for personal identification (instead of ceremonial purposes).
* Talisman: tattoos were believed to offer protection.
* As a symbol of mourning for a loved one.
* Adornment

Kukui Nuts, Used in Hawaiian Tattoo Ink

The Hawaiian tribal tattoos were mostly black, the tattoo ink was made of a mixture of kukui nuts and sugarcane juice.

Getting a tattoo in a tribal community was not a very pleasant occasion, modern tattoo equipment was not part of tribal life. Instead they used sharp and pointy parts of animals, like bird beaks and claws, that were connected to a branch and hit with a mallet.

The Hawaiian tattoo designs are larger compared to other Polynesian designs, and bolder as well. Typical Hawaiian tattoo designs include:
* Lizards: the Hawaiians had a great respect and fear for lizards.
* Sea turtle tattoos
* Dolphins
* Tropical flowers
* Arrows

Typical spots for tribal Hawaiian tattoos:
* Male: the legs, arms, face and torso
* Female: the hands, wrist and tongue

In the beginning of the 19th century, when European settlers arrived in Hawaii, the art of the Hawaiian tattoo slowly vanished until its renaissance in the 20th century.

Hawaiian Tattoos

Hawaiian Tattoos

Hawaiian Tattoos

Hawaiian Tattoos

Hawaiian Tattoos

Cherry Blossom Tree Tattoo Designs

Cherry Blossom Tree Tattoo
Cherry Blossom Tree Tattoo

Cherry Blossom Tree Tattoo

Cherry blossom tattoo is one of the most favored designs specifically among women and its popularity is undoubtedly still increasing. These flowers are favorite subjects of paintings and poems in Japan and hold a very prominent position in Japanese culture.

Cherry Blossom Tree Tattoo

Cherry Blossom Tree Tattoo Cherry Blossom Tree Tattoo

Cherry Blossom Tree Tattoo

Cherry Blossom Tree Tattoo

Cherry Blossom Tree Tattoo

Cherry Blossom Tree Tattoo

Cherry Blossom Tree Tattoo

Cherry Blossom Tree Tattoo

Cherry Blossom Tattoo Designs

Cherry Blossom Tattoo Designs

Cherry Blossom Tattoo Designs

Cherry blossom tattoo - what does it symbolize

Even if these flowers are mostly associated with Japan, they are also a part of China’s culture as well but represent an entirely different meaning as how it is traditionally observed in Japan. It would be therefore interesting to know as what cherry blossom tattoo symbolizes in relation to how the flower is celebrated in these two countries.The blossoming of these flowers marks the coming of spring in Japan and paves the way for hanami or cherry blossom viewing. This event is observed with blithe and exuberance – people gather under the trees while enjoying the intensity and beauty of the blossoming flowers that last only for days. Thus, cherry blossom is a symbol that is associated with the life of samurai warriors of old Japan which could end violently at any time just as cherry blossom would shed its petals after a fleeting moment. It is a felicitous symbol and a poignant reminder of the fragility and transitory of life. The flowing petals of cherry blossom represent the sacrifice that these warriors have to go through to defend their emperors. It is a symbol associated with the beauty and fragility of human life.

Cherry Blossom Tattoo Designs

Cherry Blossom Tattoo Designs

Cherry Blossom Tattoo Designs

Maori Tattoo Designs

Maori tattooing would usually start at adolescence, and was used to celebrate important events throughout life. The first tattoo marks the transition from childhood to adulthood and was done during a series of rites and rituals. Tattoo art was an important part of the Maori culture – in fact, people without tattoos were considered to be without status or worth.

Needless to say, tattooing by making incisions with a chisel was a painful process, but traditional Maori tattoos were meant to be more than decorative – they were a show of strength, courage and status. Both men and women were tattooed, though women substantially less (maybe because there was less of a need for them to show courage) and on other places (usually the lips and chin).

The process of Maori tattooing was a ritual, with music, chant and fasting – in fact, fasting was more or less a necessity, because the face would swell up from the wounds caused by the tattooing process!

The tattoo specialists in the Maori culture were usually men, although there are some women who also were tohunga ta moko (moko specialists).

Maori tattoos

Maori tattoos

Maori tattoos