Whana

Design Story

This tattoo requested by Alessio recalls a manta´s shape (freedom, travels and beauty) and it´s dedicated especially to family and voyages, which are important to increase our knowledge and to see the world from a higher perspective.

The central sun encloses elements of both: waves and mountains representing voyages on sea and land, and the turtle shell motif for family.
We devided this motif like we did with a Marquesan cross to symbolize how harmony is complete only when family is united.

The rows of birds and fish represent voyages and prosperity but also sky and sea.

Inside the wings of the manta there are a lizard on the left for good luck and a fish hook with spear heads on the right for lessons learnt and the warrior fighting for what he believes in.

The lower end contains two moray eels (past adversities) kept at bay by two tiki eyes (protection).
Right above them, the path of Kamehameha on the left shows a difficult path that, faced together (the braid on its side), leads to success (the sun above them, shaped by coconut leaves).