Rahune

Design Story

This small feminine Polynesian tattoo was prepared for Susan and it has a lot of meaning despite the small size.

The frangipani flower represents her, and it has an ipu inside as a simbol of fertility (the mother) with two koru (her children) on its side and two tiki hands below them to show how she'll always protect them.

Two bigger koru also go out from the flower, representing her children growing up, till they take the flight (the two butterflies).
One koru shapes a sea shell and the other has two chasing birds on it to represent love and support, while the braid symbolizes union.
The octopus tentacle and shark teeth are symbols for protection, adaptability, and tenacity for their future life.

The lōkahi symbolizes harmony and balance, unity, while niho taniwha symbolizes protection and the sun joy.

Waves in the lower part represent change leading to her present self.

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