Design Story
This tattoo is mainly about water and bonds. Despite the simple look, there are many symbols and meanings related to this design. Water is surely the main character in this, as many symbols are related to that: the manta (protection, freedom and elegance) that gives the general shape, the jellyfish (calm, equanimity) inside the manta, containing a turtle (family) that has a hammerhead shark (determination, strength) and a koru (a son) on the shell. The spots (islands) along the honu shell motif (the traveller) are a wish for travelling among the islands, on the sea, even if the central point, the very own island, remains family. Shark teeth are for adaptability, and the darker tentacle of the jellyfish with a symbol for bonds, which remains behind, represents friends lost along the way, but still carried along by the thread of memory. Manaias are guardian angels, and outer tikis protect from every side.
Fish hooks are a wish for abundance and wealth.
Requested by Pete.
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