Faino

Design Story

The central part of this Marquesan style half sleeve tattoo represents what is most important for Duarte, who requested it: family (the flax leaves) and friends (people), setting goals (the star on top), and always being ready to fight for them with strength and adaptability (the spearheads, shark teeth, and octopus tentacles) thanks to what he learnt (the stepping stones at the base).

The two rows of people represent all the friends met, with a few ones closer to him.
Within the sun the couple with a checkered pattern next, represents bond and loyalty.

The lizard symbolizes knowledge, and the manta wisdom, to overcome the adversities in the past (represented by the moray eel) toward a higher perspective (the frigate bird).

The fish hook and net symbolize prosperity and community, while the bonito tail symbolizes prosperity and providing for the loved ones, with resilience and determination (the tiki arms), and protected by the all-seeing eye.

The two tiki looking in opposite directions protect him and the important people in his life from all sides.

The Marquesan cross represents the balance found between the spearheads (warrior) and the sun (peace), while the black parts represent origins and knowledge from the ancestors.

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