Pūmotu

Design Story

This tattoo designed for Tanner represents balance and freedom, and the warrior who fights to achieve them.

All elements revolve around the central Marquesan cross, which symbolizes balance and harmony.
Elements are also represented by the ani ata motif (sky and ancestors guarding from above) and ipu (wind, air, fertility), mountains (earth), birds (fire, higher perspective), fish and waves (water and change).

The hammerhead shark represents the warrior who faces every adversity (the path of Kamehameha below) with tenacity and determination (the spear heads in its body and the warrior in the shark´s head) to find his freedom (the manta in front of the shark).

A mere is inside the manta to symbolize freedom found through honour and respect.
Shark teeth are for adaptability and protection.