Pueo

Design Story

Rick was raised globally, living in different countries and experimenting different cultures, which is reflected in this Polynesian half sleeve tattoo that we prepared for him.

The turtle representing family remains central, with the symbol for the couple on the shell together with braid and flax leaves (family unity), while the people all around her represent the extended family, his ohana.
They are all different to symbolize their different paths of life and cultures, and we placed a sun and a Marquesan cross nearby to symbolize how the diversity of all the people is enriching, bringing joy and harmony.
The front flippers of the turtle are open to symbolize moving forward, and they are shaped to recall, together with the wings of the owl on top, palm leaves (with the turtle shell and central part made of spearheads and tentacles being the trunk), as a symbol of peace and serenity shared by all different people.

The pueo, or owl, is Rick's 'Aumakua, shaped by symbols that relate to Rick's life and experiences, and it's on top among ancestors to protect the family.

Rick is the warrior at the base supporting family, with a shark and a livyatan on his sides representing his grandfather and mother, who become the two tiki on the sides, his protectors, from whom he learnt all that he knows.
This is symbolized by the path to knowledge that joins both of them to the central warrior, turning the path of Kamehameha (challenges) into stepping stones (achievements).

The row of birds symbolizes travels and the voyage of life, while the ahuahu o Mataora represents the steps to success and physical prowess.

Coconut leaves, fish, and fish hook are symbols of prosperity.

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