Rā marama

Design Story

This armband tattoo requested by Paulo consists of two bolder bands enclosing three main symbols: a lizard, a sunmoon and a turtle.

The upper band has tiki and Marquesan crosses for protection and balance while the lower one has sugar canes and lizards for prosperity and good luck.

Each of the three main elements is incorporated into a sun, for eternity and joy.
The lizard represents good luck, with mountains around for stability.
The turtle is for family, with a honu shell motif around it for travels and protection.
The sunmoon inside of the bigger central sun symbolizes impossible that becomes possible.

Other elements of the armband are fishing nets, which symbolize cooperation and community.