Olaga

Design Story

This Polynesian half sleeve and pec tattoo was designed for Hloud in navy blue to integrate a shaka tattoo he had on his pec, keeping the same Samoan style integrated with small animals representing important people.

There are four main areas that together build the tattoo and Hloud's story: family of origin, study and work life, present family, unity and prosperity.

In the original family parents represent a safe place (the rafters for the home), prosperity (trochus shells), and stability (mountains).
Nearby there are symbols for their children, each one with their own characteristics.

The path to knowledge that leads to achievements represented by the togitogi marks is faced with tenacity and fighting spirit (spearheads, octopus tentacles, and centipede).

Hloud's present family is symbolized on the armband part, with the main characteristics of each member represented.

The pec part is basically divided into two halves, one above the shaka representing his family, and one below the shaka representing his work, as these two aspects make up his life now (with family on top).

There are symbols of protection, prosperity, and serenity that complete the meanings of this part.

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