Papanai

Design Story

This modern Polynesian sleeve tattoo was prepared for Fernando to represent the balance he found in his life.

Spearheads represent the warrior and the row of birds a voyage which led to a new start (the koru in the center).
This brought a new freedom (the manta on top) and new balance between personal life and work (the woman and the adze, which is a symbol of skills and craftmanship).

Within the manta, octopus tentacles and shark teeth show tenacity and adaptability to follow and capitalize all changes, represented by the waves going into different directions.
This new balance is a source of harmony (the marquesan cross within the turtle representing family, and the lokahi) and joy (the sun surrounding this new start, shaped by mountains for stability.

The hammerhead shark with a warrior in its head represents tenacity and determination to achieve any goal facing every challenge (the path of Kamehameha in the past) to bring prosperity (fish and coconut leaves) protected by the two tiki on the sides.

The lizard is a symbol of good luck and health, and the stepping stones at the base, getting bigger toward the center, represent growing achievements along the path.

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