Vana

Design Story

The flower of hibiscus represents Manuela, who requested this tattoo, femininity and beauty, with a sea urchin ("vana" in Hawaiian language) in the center, shaded in red, symbolizing being thorny outside but tender inside.
The koru in its center symbolizes her son, in the center of her life.

The path of Kamehameha below represents the difficulties she faced and won to find serenity and success (the sun above, with koru to symbolize life and new beginnings).

Birds symbolize the voyage that leads watching the world from a higher perspective while other elements on the petals are a fish hook (intelligence, prosperity), a tiki hand (protection) and an ipu (fertility).