Alu

Design Story

This Polynesian family tattoo of three turtles includes several Hawaiian symbols to honor Dan's roots.

All turtles have the lōkahi symbol within tiki hands representing balance with nature and spirits and protecting the roots.
Dan's turtle has a protector tiki on the shell, his wife's one has a flower of hibiscus, and his daughter's one has two chasing birds as a symbol of support always granted through every change (the waves).

The fish hook is a symbol of prosperity, the tropic bird (koa'e'ula) symbolizes the leader, but also voyages and return home, kapua'i represents ancestors, and a sun made of shark teeth joins the three turtle as a symbol of joy and eternity.

The Hawaiian term alu also means being connected, like the joints of the human body.

The colored image below shows the main elements within the tattoo: