Turerua

Design Story

This Polynesian tattoo for the outer thigh going from knee to hip was prepared for Sharon and it represents her story.

We chose the shark to symbolize speed, along the path of Kamehameha representing a path full of challenges, with ancestors and a manaia (a guardian angel) watching over this path where Sharon never lost her fighting spirit.
The row of birds symbolizes the voyage that led her to where she is now, with the turtle and the braid representing her family, and the coconut palms on top represent serenity, prosperity, and peace, under the protection of the tiki.

The frangipani flowers symbolize her children, the dots her grandchildren, and there are enata and other symbols to represent other people who are important in her life or whom she helps facing the pain of a loss, out of her own experience.

The koru symbolizes a new start and shark teeth symbolize protection and adaptability.

The turtle for family remains central being the most important thing for her, with flax leaves for union and a Marquesan cross among waves to symbolize how family gives her harmony and stability through every change.
Fish hooks in the front flippers are for prosperity, and tiki hands on the back flippers are for protection.
The star in front of her represents direction, the path to be followed, and purpose.

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