Through pain

Design Story

This Polynesian half sleeve tattoo was designed to include an old tribal cross that Denis already had on his arm.

The sea creatures represent his passion for water, with a dolphin representing his son and a manta his daughter.
The turtle between them represents family, with Denis and his wife on the front flippers carrying the family ahead supporting each other (the chasing birds with a star in front of them).

There are symbols for pain in the past near the dolphin, which led to a difficult voyage (the path of Kamehameha followed by the flight of the albatross) that finally left the family more united than before (the braid on top below the sun).
His son is represented by the frigate bird among the ancestors, protected by the tiki on the center of the shoulder represents the divinity.
They all guard upon the family with two tiki on the sides bringing protection from all directions.

Other elements represent unity, prosperity, lessons learnt, and plans for the future.

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