Gabriel had two tattoos, a Maori armband on his forearm and a tribal phoenix on his back, and he asked us to prepare a 3/4 sleeve to join and integrate them.

What we gave most importance to was family and friends, and finding balance from the knowledge of having finally understood what really matters:
the turtle in the middle symbolizes family and the navigator, and its front flippers are made of two tiki to give it protection from all sides.
Fish symbolize prosperity and the chasing birds represent help to the dear ones.
The lizard on its shell is a symbol of good luck and it also symbolizes seeing the things beyond material. It helps him reaching knowledge and freedom (the manta in front of the turtle).
Inside it, the Marquesan cross represents balance and harmony while the koru on the front is life, a fresh start.

Friends (a row of enata) support family, and to protect friends and family there are spear heads and a centipede on the right (warrior spirit).

The sun surrounding the design on top represents success and joy, and the mountains that make it are symbols of stabilty.

The flower with 7 petals on the left and the manaia are symbols of protection.

The other elements represent adaptability, tenacity, protection and prosperity (octopus tentacles,hammerhead shark and shark teeth, fish hook).

Waves represent change.