Polynesian Tattoo Ideas

What Are Polynesian Tattoos?

Polynesian tattoos refer to a wide range of tattooing practices from Oceania, which includes Easter Island, Samoa, Hawaii, Micronesia, the Marquesas Islands, and hundreds of other small islands located on the Pacific Ocean.

Many cultures from these islands have used traditional tattooing techniques for centuries, both for decorative and spiritual purposes.

So Polynesian tattoos really do have deep, cultural significance, making them an ideal addition to your tattoo collection, especially if you have a background from any of these countries.

Placement Ideas For Polynesian Tattoos

Polynesian tattoos are often done in a style very similar to Western tribal tattooing. These pieces typically consist of tribal designs, geometric patterns, shapes, lines, and dot work, which can be combined to create amazingly detailed and truly intricate tattoos.

Polynesian tattoos often look great as full sleeves or half sleeves. But smaller designs, like individual animals or armbands, can be created and placed pretty much anywhere on the body.

In Samoa, men and women often received traditional Polynesian tattoos called the Pe’a and Malu.

A Pe’a is a male Polynesian tattoo that covers the entire body from the lower back to the knees. The Malu, on the other hand, is worn by women on their legs and is often much more delicate in design than the Pe’a.

Women’s Polynesian Tattoo Ideas

Polynesian tattoos were often done on male warriors. But women can also get stunning, Polynesian tattoo designs to represent their courage, bravery, and fierceness.

Whether they want something to personify their heritage or just a symbol to add to their collection, Polynesian cultures are a great place to look for inspiration.

Women can choose from a range of tribal designs, symbols, animals, turtle shell designs, words, shapes, patterns, and styles that can embody their personal stories.

Men’s Polynesian Tattoo Ideas

Polynesian people have a rich history that dates back thousands of years. Aboriginals from these islands were often hunter-gatherers and warriors.

Therefore, men can look to these ancestors for inspiration for their tattoos.

Men often get Polynesian tattoos that are darker in color and done with thick, bold lines, embodying their strength, courage, knowledge, and bravery.

Tribal warriors, Polynesian armbands, and fierce animals are just a few ideas for great, manly-looking Polynesian tattoos.

Polynesian Tattoo Meaning

Body art from the Polynesian islands is typically worn as a way to form a connection with one’s ancestors and the spiritual world.

Whether we’re talking about ancient tribal gods or Christianity, which was brought to Polynesian by European settlers, tattoos from these regions truly do have a deep, rich history that stretches back across time.

Traditional Polynesian tattoos were often used to signify a person’s achievements, their social rank or status in society, or to embody their relationship with their gods.

In Samoa, men often get a traditional tattoo called a Pe’a, which symbolizes their entrance into manhood. It is used as a sign of courage and bravery. Similarly, the Female Malu is meant to bring wearer shelter and protection.

So there are different meanings associated with some Polynesian tattoos. But your own personal Polynesian tattoo can have whatever meaning or significance you want it to have.