Search for maori tattoo designs
Posted by admin on October 12th, 2009 filed in Tattoos and Designs
Tattooing is a sacred art among the maori people of New Zealand. The maori art of tattooing originated from the islands of East Polynesia. maori tattoo designs are among the most distinctive in the world having their own identity amongst polynesian tattoos. Maori tattoo designs are easily identifiable due to their unique style. Maori tattoo patterns symbolize a way of personal identification for the people. Designs are made up of many different shapes familiar to the people. The New Zealand fern with its “Koru” shape is common throughout design culture. The young fern leaf unfurls and at this stage it is named “Koru”. This unfurling leaf symbolizes the unfolding of new life. When you see the “Koru” you will see why the maori have identified the unfurling frond with values of youth, strength and vitality, life unfolding, the Whanau (family) its care and protection.
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Sacred symbols are included in traditional tattoo designs. These symbols represent the personal heritage of an individual. By copying their symbols and designs you are stealing part of their identity, this is seen as an insult by the maori people.
Maori have traditionally worn the tattoo on their face which was to show everyone who they were i.e. their family, tribe and status within an area grouping. Tattoo designs were traditionally inked on the face and depicted the wearers heritage and standing within a tribal community.
Fascination with maori tattoo designs has made them a favored design to have inked. Think about the cultural sensitivities when considering a maori tattoo design. These sacred tattoo designs are not simply for ornamental purposes.
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That is not to say don’t go out and get a maori tattoo, you can get your own tattoo designed without the symbolic ties. You can get an experienced maori artist to produce a design that has the look of a traditional moko (tattoo design) which will be personal to you without the cultural symbolic ties. Personalize your own design by incorporating celtic, tribal and maori styles into your own absolutely unique piece. There are people who want to indicate their mixed heritage in a tattoo design so this when they use the combination of these styles.
The new term for skin art or body art in New Zealand is “Kirituhi”(writing on skin). Do not confuse Ta Moko with Kirituhi, Ta Moko is the traditional form of maori tattoo.
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