Ohipaē

Design Story

We prepared this manta ray tattoo for Jordan, to go along her spine below a tattoo she already had.

Waves are on both sides of the manta to show her connection with the ocean, and there are different elements below them to represent her story and a change in her life symbolized by the koru in the center representing new beginning, a fresh start.

On the left of the koru, the path of Kamehameha represents the challenges faced with tenacity and strength (the hammerhead shark with spearheads representing a warrior), and with adaptability (the octopus tentacles).

On the right, the mountains and fish below the waves represent her current life, in balance with nature (the lokahi), with a turtle, flax leaves, and frangipani flowers centrally to show the importance that family has in it.

The fish hook is a symbol of prosperity, and the turtle has a Marquesan cross in it for the harmony it brings.

The voyage represented by the flight of the albatross is crowned by a sun for joy, with a clear direction (the koa'e'ula on top flying straight up) coming from all the things she learnt (the stepping stones on its sides).

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