Manu hū

Design Story

This small Polynesian tattoo of two hummingbirds was prepared for Tito and it represents the father protecting the son while he starts to fly (the spearheads and shark teeth in the wings) bringing him stability (the mountains).

Both birds have tiki eyes for protection and flax leaves for family unity.
The big one includes lau hala (pandanus blossom, a symbol for lineage) and a big koru for the father protecting a smaller one for the son, while the small bird has a stylized hammerhead shark for strength and tenacity, and the small koru representing the son.

The following image shows with different colors the individual elements of the tattoo: