2011

The Polynesian-PART-I MAORI

I would like to make an introduction to this post and all those who always follow the topic Polynesian tattoos.

For mental rigor, I want to clarify that what I write is not absolute truth, but is the result of studies I did college and a bit 'on my own.
do not think it feasible to write a post who or what a culture without making it a full part, but this is a bit 'for all other cultures.
What can I do, however, is to take advantage of what I studied, to make a summary and give it to you if you are interested in the subject.
I know there are many tattoo artists who specialize in such a way that surely will have had to acquire much more information about me and if they come on this blog and read inaccuracies or clarifications are keen to do, I invite you to do so, would you do me a present:)

As you can see from the map shown here, the Polynesia is a 'set of islands in the Pacific Ocean, where the art of tattooing is an integral and fundamental part of their culture.

We talk about Polynesian tattoos to define, generally speaking, all those tattoos that come from this huge archipelago. But
styles and patterns that characterize the Polynesian tattoos are a bit 'different, depending, of course, their island of origin.

The topic of this post is extremely broad, so I'll try to be as summary as possible, then if you have any question, more details, please write to rocketqueentattooshop@gmail.com and I will be happy to answer them.

NEW ZEALAND: Maori tattoos are the most easily recognizable among the various Polynesian tattoos.

are distinguished by their curved shape and their spirals.
traditional Maori tattoos are known in Maori as "Ta Moko" and "Moko".
The first means "to hit / affect" and this term refers to the method used to physically perform the tattoos: the Maori people instead of needles, using knives and chisels, which, in their language, are called UHI, in this way ' ink is applied by means of precisely incisions. Moko
instead shows the same design of the tattoo, or tattoo done.

As has historically developed the art of tattoo in New Zealand has not yet been well established, although some historians are inclined to think it was introduced from the islands of East Polynesia, but I want to tell the legend that has been handed down by the Maori their wonderful art
It is said that a young warrior, Mataora, fell in love with the princess of the underworld, Niwareka, and she, in return, he decided to go to the surface, and married him there.
The first time the two lovers lived happily, but then something changed and began to mistreat Mataora Newareka and returned to his father.

Mataora left alone, he realized what he had done and decided to go down to the underworld to reclaim it .. and luckily succeeded because according to legend, it was thanks to the newfound love between the warrior and the princess of her powerful father decided to teach Mataora the art of tribal tattoos.
And so the warrior and his bride returned to the surface bringing the world the knowledge of ta moko

Perhaps this legend, one can understand a bit 'more on why the Maori consider their traditional tattoos sacred ...

Let's talk about 'the significance of ta moko: The Maori before the arrival of Westerners, had no written language to tell their stories and pass on, from the personal to the mythic / religious, used to carve in materials such as wood, bone and jade, drawing symbols to represent their world.
As I have written no one knows when and how the art of tattooing has become part of the Maori culture, but if you look at their traditional sculptures will be noticed that the drawings are the same then reproduced in tattoos, so You can say the designs in traditional Maori tattoos can be classified as a written language.
Their tattoos are not decorative but rather inherently representative of the person wearing them. Suffice it to say that every
moko is the representation by symbols of the history of a person who holds the rank in his tribe, and served also to remind the wearer of its responsibility to live a decent life, in the sign of the value and courage.

The traditional Maori tattoo on his face is positioned in eight sections and each section is descriptive of one aspect of the life of the wearer:

Ngakaipikirau (rank). The center of the front
Ngunga (position). Around eyebrows
Uirere (rank Hapu). eyes and nose area
Uma (marriage). temples
Raurau (signature). The area under the nose
Taiohou (work). The area of \u200b\u200bthe cheeks
Wairua (mana, or " a quality or inner essence is common to living things inanimate objects "\u0026lt;cit. Wikipedia>) . chin
Taitoto (state of birth). jaw

addition, the left side of the face, but not always, this varies from tribe to tribe, is the father's side while the right hand is the ancestors of his mother's side.

Let 's talk of designs that you can find in a tattoo Maori and their explanation:

Koru: That the spiral.

represents the fern leaf and its opening, according to tradition, brings new life and purity in the world.

E 'a symbol of peace, growth and new beginning, but it is also a symbol of the family when the fern leaf is intertwined with another.

The symbol of the torque is at the center of the two maintain

TWIST: with its form represents the many paths of life and love and as such is considered the symbol of eternity, but not only has the value of eternity between two people is a symbol that tells how the bonds of love, friendship and loyalty will last forever

HEI-MATAU: stylized as these fish hooks represent strength, fertility and prosperity and respect for the sea, we also say that acted also as a symbol of protection for those traveling by sea.

Manaia: The Manaia is a mythical beast which is said to be the messenger between the earthly world of men and domain of the spirits: This symbol illustrates the strong relationship that Maori have with their spiritual life.
The Manaia is a guardian that protects the wearer from evil and this mythical beast is depicted with three fingers because each of them represents birth, life and death, where is also depicted with a fourth finger, this is the afterlife and the Manaia takes the meaning of circle of life

CIRCLE: This is the life that has neither a beginning nor an end, is seamless and we all are part of it.
often within the circle is represented the Koru, the fern leaf that is connected to love or a new beginning to the circle of life.
But the circle also represents the union of heart and mind that Maori culture is essential to be in touch with their spirituality and the universal

TIKI: the tiki is a very ancient symbol in Maori culture and is also the least understood because there are several legends that revolve around this figure.

Some say that Tiki is coming from a star who was the first inhabitant of the earth and, being depicted with webbed feet, which means it also has a strong relationship with the marine world.
Tiki is considered, in legend as a master of all things and the wearer of this symbol is seen as someone who has clarity of thought, great inner knowledge and strength of character

CONTINUES ....... ...........