Polynesia was a group of islands in the central and southern Pacific Ocean. They used share a common language, culture and history including the age old tradition of tattooing. They were good sailors and used stars to calculate the time at night. Polynesian tattoos were considered honourable and the first tattoo a man got in Polynesia marked the rite of passage from boyhood to manhood. Since Polynesians weren't big on writing, they passed on this art through generations as an alternate record of their culture and tradition. tattoos in Polynesia also depicted social status in society and genealogy as well.
When the Christian missionaries arrived in Polynesia in the 1700's, they strictly banned the art of tattooing. But since the 1980's Polynesians revived the art as they take much pride in their rich culture and heritage and for them tattooing is a long standing tradition, they also started reviving many of their other lost arts. The Polynesian men and women got their buttocks and back of their thighs inked in thin black lines that represented different figures to them. The women also dyed their loins and buttocks blue in colour. tattooing was only performed by shamans who were old and experienced in this art, but no else was allowed to do so.
Traditional Polynesian tattoos depicted the life on the island, the island in question, the person's history, social status, work and activities. Some tattoos were drawn for protection purposes, and others represented their ancestors, shamans and chiefs as well as gods. The more tattoos a person got, the more power, prestige and strength he/she was believed to have. Elaborate tattoos were only for chiefs and warriors. If someone had no tattoos that person was looked down upon and not worth interacting with.
The first tattoo a girl received was at the age of twelve on her right hand, only then was she allowed to cook and prepare the dead. Women usually got less elaborate tattoos than men and were usually inked onto their arms, hands, feet, lips and chin, a chief's wife was allowed to get a tattoo on her leg as well. Some of the most popular Polynesian tattoo designs were dolphins, sharks, their god Tiki, turtles, etc. Some of the popular designs of Polynesian tattoos and the meanings associated with them are as follows:
* Gecko - It was believed to hold supernatural powers and was feared by all Polynesians, it was thought to bring illness, bad luck and omen with it.
* Sharks - It was believed to bring on protection against enemies, mostly fishermen and warriors got it.
* Shells - It was believed to bring on prosperity and wealth.
* Turtles - It was believed to bring on a healthy long life and fertility.
