Fa'aruperupe

Design Story

This Polynesian tattoo prepared for Beatriz is basically made up of two parts, one representing difficulties (a moray eel, opposing waves, and the path of Kamehameha), which remains in the past, and the other with the people who were there through them, friends and family, and the symbol of marriage, continuing into the future (it goes over the shoulder to point to the heart).

The turtle is a symbol of family and the frigate and star that point to the heart show the direction to follow.

The braid symbolizes the union of her loved ones that has been put as a barrier between her and the difficulties, fostering a rebirth (the koru inside the turtle).

The flowers (tiare apetahi and frangipani) symbolize femininity and safe shelter and the sun that surrounds them is a symbol of positivity and eternity.

The lizard and the tiki eye are symbols of protection while shark teeth and octopus tentacle symbolize strength and adaptability.

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