Rarau

Design Story

Rob wanted to integrate an old school panther he had on his arm with a wavy Polynesian tattoo, and we decided to use three parallel stripes to shape it in order to mimic a panther's scratch.

The sun going on the shoulder encircles the initials K, B, and T designed as maorigrams.
On top, the chasing birds with a star symbolize the importance of always supporting each other, while the sun is a symbol of positivity and joy.

We included a turtle to symbolize family and longevity, bonito tail and fish hook for prosperity, and a Marquesan cross for balance and harmony found in family (the 4 people nearby), protected by tiki hands.

Other important elements are shark teeth, spearheads, braids, waves, and ancestors.

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