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Anyone know anything about Polynesian tattoos?

harmless_little_f***harmless_little_f*** Posts: 8,005
edited May 2008 in All Encompassing Trip
Right, I'm wanting new ink, pretty soon.

I'm thinking quite strongly to go for South Sea island/Polynesian designs. Anyone know much about this? Meanings? Symbolism? Or just 'cool' designs?

I think I'm gonna start on my left arm.
'We're learning songs for baby Jesus' birthday. His mum and dad were Merry and Joseph. He had a bed made of clay and the three kings bought him Gold, Frankenstein and Merv as presents.'

- the great Sir Leo Harrison
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • Lukin66Lukin66 Posts: 3,063
    harmless_little_f*** wrote:
    Right, I'm wanting new ink, pretty soon.

    I'm thinking quite strongly to go for South Sea island/Polynesian designs. Anyone know much about this? Meanings? Symbolism? Or just 'cool' designs?

    I think I'm gonna start on my left arm.
    harmless, are you talking about just the style? or the procedure as well (hand-tapped)? If you're just wondering about the tradition/meanings of these tattoos, I'd probably say do a little research about the culture to find the meaning. I know a lot of tattoo styles have been appropriated over the years for something completely different than what they were intended for, so you should read up on them before you commit to anything :)
    deep, deep blue of the morning
    gets to me every time
  • duggroduggro Posts: 1,343
    i'd say be careful because polynesian tattoos are generally done for great significance, encompassing character and family, not just for the design

    if you really want to get one, then really do your research dude



    ps. man, i really want another tattoo. dunno what though
    Dublin Leeds Berlin Wembley
  • harmless_little_f***harmless_little_f*** Posts: 8,005
    duggro wrote:
    i'd say be careful because polynesian tattoos are generally done for great significance, encompassing character and family, not just for the design

    if you really want to get one, then really do your research dude



    ps. man, i really want another tattoo. dunno what though

    Lukin, yes, I mean the designs. I'm not planning on getting 'hand-tapped' any time soon. :o

    And Duggro, yeah I guess I wouldn't want to offend anyone, just so that I could get a 'cool' design.. I like the idea that they have significance. I've heard that the Maori's find the trend kind of insulting.
    'We're learning songs for baby Jesus' birthday. His mum and dad were Merry and Joseph. He had a bed made of clay and the three kings bought him Gold, Frankenstein and Merv as presents.'

    - the great Sir Leo Harrison
  • Lukin66Lukin66 Posts: 3,063
    duggro wrote:
    i'd say be careful because polynesian tattoos are generally done for great significance, encompassing character and family, not just for the design

    if you really want to get one, then really do your research dude



    ps. man, i really want another tattoo. dunno what though
    That's exactly my point. It's hilarious seeing girls walking down the street with Japanese Koi tattoos, especially since the Koi has ALWAYS been a symbol of masculinity and power. I'd hate to see you end up with a tattoo meaning 'silly girl' or something like that ;) it's a permenant body modification, so study up.
    deep, deep blue of the morning
    gets to me every time
  • duggroduggro Posts: 1,343
    harmless_little_f*** wrote:
    Lukin, yes, I mean the designs. I'm not planning on getting 'hand-tapped' any time soon. :o

    And Duggro, yeah I guess I wouldn't want to offend anyone, just so that I could get a 'cool' design.. I like the idea that they have significance. I've heard that the Maori's find the trend kind of insulting.
    yeah they totally do, noticed it a lot when i was over there. my smokin hot tattoo lady commented on that when i was getting mine

    if it means a lot to you and its well researched then theres nowt wrong with pinching ideas from other cultures. thats what life is about
    Dublin Leeds Berlin Wembley
  • harmless_little_f***harmless_little_f*** Posts: 8,005
    duggro wrote:
    yeah they totally do, noticed it a lot when i was over there. my smokin hot tattoo lady commented on that when i was getting mine

    if it means a lot to you and its well researched then theres nowt wrong with pinching ideas from other cultures. thats what life is about

    Well the tat I have already has spiritual significance to me, so it would be silly now to just get a design that's 'cool'.. I may as well carry on as I started.
    'We're learning songs for baby Jesus' birthday. His mum and dad were Merry and Joseph. He had a bed made of clay and the three kings bought him Gold, Frankenstein and Merv as presents.'

    - the great Sir Leo Harrison
  • duggroduggro Posts: 1,343
    harmless_little_f*** wrote:
    Well the tat I have already has spiritual significance to me, so it would be silly now to just get a design that's 'cool'.. I may as well carry on as I started.
    word
    Dublin Leeds Berlin Wembley
  • beachdwellerbeachdweller Posts: 1,532
    harmless_little_f*** wrote:
    Right, I'm wanting new ink, pretty soon.

    I'm thinking quite strongly to go for South Sea island/Polynesian designs. Anyone know much about this? Meanings? Symbolism? Or just 'cool' designs?

    I think I'm gonna start on my left arm.

    a lot of the traditional polynesian tat's have to do with tribal heritage, manhood/womanhood, and warrior status. I'm still figuring out if I want to do my left arm polynesian or celtic, maybe some eclectic half and half hybrid.

    If you have a chance, hit a tattoo convention in your area if possible. Talk to some artists, they can be of great help, though some will selfishly try and talk you into letting them tat you, instead of answering your question properly.

    Here's some sites that might be of use:

    http://www.tahititatou.com/choosingyourtattoo.html

    http://www.tiki-styles.de/

    for more, just google: polynesian tattoo

    there is a wealth of info online, which is a good place to start.
    "Music, for me, was fucking heroin." eV (nothing Ed has said is more true for me personally than this quote)

    Stop by:
    http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=14678777351&ref=mf
  • Lukin66Lukin66 Posts: 3,063
    harmless_little_f*** wrote:
    Lukin, yes, I mean the designs. I'm not planning on getting 'hand-tapped' any time soon. :o
    I've totally been wanting to try and get a hand-tapped one soon, I was thinking maybe when I go to Hawaii. And yeah, I've also heard the Maori consider it somewhat insulting, but like duggro said, if it means a lot to you, do it. As long as you're not some drunk meathead frat boy who gets a tribal because it was the only thing he could point to at the tattoo shop ;)
    deep, deep blue of the morning
    gets to me every time
  • harmless_little_f***harmless_little_f*** Posts: 8,005
    Lukin66 wrote:
    I've totally been wanting to try and get a hand-tapped one soon, I was thinking maybe when I go to Hawaii. And yeah, I've also heard the Maori consider it somewhat insulting, but like duggro said, if it means a lot to you, do it. As long as you're not some drunk meathead frat boy who gets a tribal because it was the only thing he could point to at the tattoo shop ;)

    LOL

    As he said, word.
    'We're learning songs for baby Jesus' birthday. His mum and dad were Merry and Joseph. He had a bed made of clay and the three kings bought him Gold, Frankenstein and Merv as presents.'

    - the great Sir Leo Harrison
  • SENROCKSENROCK Posts: 10,736
    harmless_little_f*** wrote:
    Well the tat I have already has spiritual significance to me, so it would be silly now to just get a design that's 'cool'.. I may as well carry on as I started.
    you see? didnt we ALL tell you the day you posted your tattoo picture that you were gonna be addicted??!!! its only been a short time! WOOHOO!!!
    ~~~~~~ALWAYS HAVE A GOOD TIME~~~~~~
    Sir Mike McCready is....THE MASTER!!! WAHHH!!!
    EVENFLOW PSYCHOS H.N.I.C~FEEL THE FLOW!!!

    "Pearl Jam fans are obsessed, they'd see the boys in HELL if tickets were sold."-CROJAM95

    It takes balls to put out a UKE album!
  • harmless_little_f***harmless_little_f*** Posts: 8,005
    SENROCK! wrote:
    you see? didnt we ALL tell you the day you posted your tattoo picture that you were gonna be addicted??!!! its only been a short time! WOOHOO!!!

    I've been wanting to get a second for a while but recent times and all that... have made me just say 'Fuck it I'm doin it'. :)
    'We're learning songs for baby Jesus' birthday. His mum and dad were Merry and Joseph. He had a bed made of clay and the three kings bought him Gold, Frankenstein and Merv as presents.'

    - the great Sir Leo Harrison
  • Lukin66Lukin66 Posts: 3,063
    harmless_little_f*** wrote:
    I've been wanting to get a second for a while but recent times and all that... have made me just say 'Fuck it I'm doin it'. :)
    I'm getting to that point now too...
    deep, deep blue of the morning
    gets to me every time
  • SENROCKSENROCK Posts: 10,736
    harmless_little_f*** wrote:
    I've been wanting to get a second for a while but recent times and all that... have made me just say 'Fuck it I'm doin it'. :)
    SAWEET!!! im proud of you. More people need to posess that "eff it i'm DOIN it!" attitude.
    ~~~~~~ALWAYS HAVE A GOOD TIME~~~~~~
    Sir Mike McCready is....THE MASTER!!! WAHHH!!!
    EVENFLOW PSYCHOS H.N.I.C~FEEL THE FLOW!!!

    "Pearl Jam fans are obsessed, they'd see the boys in HELL if tickets were sold."-CROJAM95

    It takes balls to put out a UKE album!
  • harmless_little_f***harmless_little_f*** Posts: 8,005
    SENROCK! wrote:
    SAWEET!!! im proud of you. More people need to posess that "eff it i'm DOIN it!" attitude.

    It's been a case of 'I need more money', but to be honest, when am I gonna have more money? I'll be saying that for the next 5 years.
    'We're learning songs for baby Jesus' birthday. His mum and dad were Merry and Joseph. He had a bed made of clay and the three kings bought him Gold, Frankenstein and Merv as presents.'

    - the great Sir Leo Harrison
  • SENROCKSENROCK Posts: 10,736
    harmless_little_f*** wrote:
    It's been a case of 'I need more money', but to be honest, when am I gonna have more money? I'll be saying that for the next 5 years.
    hahahaha this is TRUE! everyone will ALWAYS need money or complain about not having any. Yet we find ways to do other things. ahhhh life. u know i wanna see pics of the new ink right??!!
    ~~~~~~ALWAYS HAVE A GOOD TIME~~~~~~
    Sir Mike McCready is....THE MASTER!!! WAHHH!!!
    EVENFLOW PSYCHOS H.N.I.C~FEEL THE FLOW!!!

    "Pearl Jam fans are obsessed, they'd see the boys in HELL if tickets were sold."-CROJAM95

    It takes balls to put out a UKE album!
  • harmless_little_f***harmless_little_f*** Posts: 8,005
    SENROCK! wrote:
    hahahaha this is TRUE! everyone will ALWAYS need money or complain about not having any. Yet we find ways to do other things. ahhhh life. u know i wanna see pics of the new ink right??!!

    Of course. It's gonna go on my thread. :D

    And Jeremy1012 if you're reading this.. let this serve as a reminder!
    'We're learning songs for baby Jesus' birthday. His mum and dad were Merry and Joseph. He had a bed made of clay and the three kings bought him Gold, Frankenstein and Merv as presents.'

    - the great Sir Leo Harrison
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