Tamaiti

Design Story

This Polynesian sleeve tattoo for the lower arm was designed for Caleb and it is one of two similar tattoos created for him and his father.

Both sleeves share the same structure and most of the elements which relate to their bond, with a different part based on their personal character and story.

Family is central in the common part, represented at the base of the tattoo (the turtle including flax leaves as a symbol of family union).

The central motif, kuhanu, represents creation, and it reaches on top to the Marquesan cross for harmony to symbolize their shared passion for music.
This passion is also represented in the personal part of this tattoo where people gather around a stylized turntable, while spearheads around them symbolize warrior spirit.

The arm and turntable shape a mere, which mirrors the shared one on the other side of the kuhanu representing honor and respect, important values for both father and son, who appear on the left within braids showing their bond through any change (the waves).

The tiki on the back of the calf/inside of forearm is to bring protection and the stepping stones at the base represent lessons learnt and achieved.

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