Tattoo of Ariki

DESCRIPTION AND MEANING:

This tattoo requested by Mike is about family and being a warrior.

On the arm and shoulder the turtle being the main element represents the importance and centrality of family.
It has a symbol for marriage in it, surrounded by 3 enata representing his children. The shell is shaped by a braid (unity) and has two chasing birds to represent they´ll always be there to help each other.

The front flippers are tikis and the back ones are tiki hands for protection. Protection also comes from Mike: the manta in front of the turtle on top of the shoulder and the hammerhead shark on the pec.
The manta symbolizes protection and knowledge, freedom, and there is a warrior in it to represent his will to fight for freedom and knowledge.

There are elements on the armband representing prosperity (fish), family (the honu motif), strength and courage (spear heads) to face every challenge (the path of Kamehameha), union (the braid), adaptability (shark teeth) and watching the world from a higher perspective (the birds that fly below the turtle from his past to his future, next to the manta, represent this voyage towards knowledge and freedom).

On the pec, the hammerhead shark made of spear heads represents the warrior and the sun made of coconut leaves around the enata symbolizes a high rank chief.
Coconut leaves also symbolize prosperity, like the fish hook nearby.

The row of warriors along the top, under the shark tail, represents his fellows who hold him as their leader and join him facing every challenge.