Polynesian/Tribal Tattoos

[Pua'i Mana'o]

Re: Polynesian/Tribal Tattoos

Both, Leo. Kanji writing is something I have always appreciated as venerable and elegant. The neck is also one of the most elegant parts of the body.

But kanji written on it looks like a rattlesnake slapped on a never-fading hickey.

[Leo Lakio]

Re: Polynesian/Tribal Tattoos

But kanji written on it looks like a rattlesnake slapped on a never-fading hickey.

Now THAT is a great concept for a tattoo!

[Pedro]

Re: Polynesian/Tribal Tattoos

The idea sounds catchy!! Instead of Snakes on Planes there's snake's plastered on necks

[Menehune Man]

Re: Polynesian/Tribal Tattoos

Pedro, tell eveyone about your choice armband tattoo!
What the designs stand for and the meaning to you.

[Manö'iki]

Re: Polynesian/Tribal Tattoos

that's you... and legions of others too.

Yeah, I know guys that would scrap with one haole if he had band on his arm. My brother would and did, in his younger, more hot headed days. He asked one haole what the band meant and where he was from. The guy responded "It looked cool, I don't know what it eans. But it looked cool." He then told my brother he was from California, had never been to Hawaii and wasn't of Hawaiian descent. A scrap ensued and my brother's friends and our cousins had to pull him off. Seeing some Tongans and Hawaiians and other island boys pulling my brother off some haole must've been a sight. Too bad I was still on Oahu when that happened.

But yeah. I'm against it, like I'd be against anyone putting anything that has sacred or special meanings to the people from which it came.

My being against people getting Japanese or Chinese Tattoos are basicly the same. To me, if you want a tattoo that symbolizes you, isn't there some part of your herritage that you can dip into and be proud of AND make it look cool?

[kimo55]

Re: Polynesian/Tribal Tattoos

To me, if you want a tattoo that symbolizes you, isn't there some part of your herritage that you can dip into and be proud of AND make it look cool?

to many, it ain't exotic enuff to put clouds, angels with wings and christ faces on their skin. (well, to some it may) most need to get something fake Polynesian and then they are 'edgy'... instant fit in with the fake surfers and other 'hipsters".
je'like when some put an armband of the sharktooth design tatooed on their arm. But they neither are a waterman nor is their 'aumakua the mano.

was a story a while ago a New Zealander friend of mine recounted. Some non maori dude thought a paricular Maori Moko was 'cool' so he got the thing all tatoo'ed on his face. pretty extreme and permanent for something that is a sacred family lineage cultural thing. (he found the design on an old 'historic' postcard or something like that.)

A New Zealander who was related to the family whose moko that was, asked the dude why you do that?
same answer.
'thot it was cool. (so he 'stole" it.)
result?
Utu.
all bus. big time.

[Bard]

Re: Polynesian/Tribal Tattoos

That's pretty bogus, some guy getting a tattoo with no idea of its significance or origins, or even consulting with someone whose culture it came from. If someone really approaches it with respect and research though, and doesn't steal family tattoos, what's the objection? Maybe his life developed such that Polynesian culture is more meaningful to him than his blood lineage.

There are probably some celtic designs I could get that would get my rear kicked in the wrong company (in some places in Europe), even though that's most of my lineage.

[Pedro]

Re: Polynesian/Tribal Tattoos

Pedro, tell eveyone about your choice armband tattoo!
What the designs stand for and the meaning to you.

Well since you did ask nicely, and I like you a lot mm y not? Last year I asked my co-worker to give me a tattoo of my aumakua's but it wasn't done ancient style, he recons if the ancients had the tools that we have now, they would use it, which I agree but doing it old style I believe has a lot more spiritual essence and I give credit to anyone who can endure that kind of pain. It hurts doing it with the machine too, but boy I think if anything the old bone and rock must hurt more.

So he engraved a circle pattern on the top of my arm which consisted of three mo'os and a pue'o with an image of the sun. There like my guardians watching over me, I don't know if anyone believe in that kind of stuff but I do.

This year he continued the design adding waves with intricate designs a fern and a turtle shell near my elbow since I was moving away. It just means peaceful Journey.

[panana]

Re: Polynesian/Tribal Tattoos

I have the feeling that, for better or worse, more tourists will be getting South Pacific style tattoos in the very near future - Did anyone else see that the 'Inked' tattoo parlor is opening a franchise here?

[Pedro]

Re: Polynesian/Tribal Tattoos

I have the feeling that, for better or worse, more tourists will be getting South Pacific style tattoos in the very near future - Did anyone else see that the 'Inked' tattoo parlor is opening a franchise here?

Oh boy there goes the world

[kimo55]

Re: Polynesian/Tribal Tattoos

more tourists will be getting South Pacific style tattoos in the very near future - Did anyone else see that the 'Inked' tattoo parlor is opening a franchise here?

so, this means inked specialises in "South Pacific style tattoos"?

[damontucker]

Re: Polynesian/Tribal Tattoos

so, this means inked specialises in "South Pacific style tattoos"?

Doesn't mean they will specialize in it, however, they have the financial backing to probably hire a few who do.

[Miulang]

Re: Polynesian/Tribal Tattoos

I saw part of that Ink'd episode and man, having tattoos done "the old way" sure looks painful! (tap-tap-tap-tap)

Miulang

[Menehune Man]

Re: Polynesian/Tribal Tattoos

Just a thought...

How or why does what someone else does to their body truly affect anyone else?

We really only have control and sometimes not even, over what we do as individuals. Are we as individuals to control all actions of others?

I believe in having opinions, but deciding what is acceptable for others?

Just doesn't sit well with me to tell other people you can't do that because...

[craigwatanabe]

Re: Polynesian/Tribal Tattoos

It kinda comes down to who are you fooling? If you choose to put a warrior tattoo on your arm and you look like Bill Gates. Just doesn't mesh too well.

It matters to others when that tatoo becomes offensive to one's culture or family heritage. Just because it looks cool, before one permanently marks one's body with that symbol. They had better make sure they know who they will offend. Like putting an Apple logo on a Dell computer. Not a good thing.