Whakaumu

Design Story

This Polynesian half sleeve tattoo was prepared for Michael and it includes mainly Tahitian and Maori elements, alternating lighter and bolder parts.

The turtle representing family is central on top, surrounded by a sun for joy, braids for union, and coconut leaves for prosperity covering the whole shoulder.
Within the turtle there is the couple with their children below, all together through every change (the waves on the front flippers), and with other family members around.

Fish hooks are for prosperity while the row of birds symbolizes voyage and the flight of the albatross is for safe return.
The canoe is a symbol of adventure, which brought family a new freedom symbolized by the manta below.
It includes an all-seeing eye for protection, and there are also two tiki on the sides re-enforcing this.
Flax leaves close the central part at the bottom to symbolize family union as the base of this new life.

On the right, in the past, the path of Kamehameha and opposing waves symbolize the challenges faced, with the lizard overcoming them as a symbol of health and good luck.
The teeth of taniwha bring protection and the path to knowledge leads to the future as a warrior protecting his family (the hammerhead shark with spearheads and octopus tentacles).
The ahuahu o Mataora represents improving steps, and the puhoro motif was added to symbolize voyage and creation.

The koru symbolizes new life, new start, and the togitogi marks represent achievements, side by side with the ritorito motif for family union.

The following legenda shows with different colors the main elements of the tattoo: