Whakapai ake

Design Story

This Polynesian full sleeve tattoo was designed for Jevgenijs and it represents his life.

Family is central, represented by the turtle with a Marquesan cross in it symbolizing the harmony that family gives him.
Above the turtle there are ancestors guarding on the family, with his grandparents among them, and with his brother and sister closer to the turtle, surrounded by a sun made of mountains as a symbol of joy and stability.
Flax leaves and braids represent the unity within the family, protected by the hammerhead shark and by two tiki on the sides.

Another great part of his life relates to his tenacity and strength, which he uses in every activity, including ju jitsu (the octopus on the forearm was chosen to represent grappling.

The hammerhead shark symbolizes tenacity, determination, and strength, and it has a warrior in it facing every challenge to go from the adversities in the past (opposing waves, thorns, and the pain symbol, along the path of Kamehameha) to the freedom in the present and future (the manta, which includes coconut buds for prosperity).

The ahuahu o Mataora is symbolic of continuous improvements and the puhoro motif represents physical prowess and movement ahead.

The lizard guards the voyage represented by the row of birds, bringing health and good luck.

There are some people on the left, who were with him along this voyage, and the stepping stones at the base symbolize his achievements.

The following image shows with different colors the individual elements of the tattoo: