Much of what is currently identified as Hawaiian tattoo designs has little resemblance to the traditional art form. What follows now is an overview of tattoo history and technique as it was traditionally practiced in the western islands of the Pacific, including Micronesia, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands. Hawaiian tattoos were etched for a person’s identification or simply as a fashionable work of art on the wearer’s body. In fact, having a good tattoo artist was a symbol of wealth and status at that time. Honolulu: Halona, Inc., 1996. The elaborate tattoos of the Polynesian cultures are thought to have developed over millennia, featuring highly elaborate geometric designs, which in many cases can cover the whole body. Selected modern texts show contemporary Hawaiian tattoos and serve as a directory for tattoo artists working in the 21st century. Hawaii. It is also part of Polynesia, which means that Hawaiian tattoos encompass both Hawaiian and Polynesian cultural symbolism and meanings. I nformative overview on the history of traditional tattoos in Hawai ʻ i written by a practitioner. In ancient Hawai‘i, tattoos were used to as a form of identification often to represent certain families, groups, social status or … Tattoo’s also offered protection to their owner, something Hawaiian warriors needed. Hawaiian Tattoos. Hawaiian tattoos have become more popular since the 1990's, this isn't surprising since tribal tattoos and tattooing in general has become more popular with landlubbers. The tattoos were believed to protect the wearer from mishaps. Pahupahu was a form of body art done specifically by male warriors, where they covered one half of their body entirely with tattoos. This text is a good introduction to the subject with a short bibliography. The symbols from the Hawaiian culture sit perfectly well on the skin and these designs also have deep cultural meanings that make them even more popular choice. The History Of Hawaiian Tattoos. While the meanings are often similar there may be some differences due to differing cultural influences. The tattoo artists of Hawaiian tribes were carefully trained and held in high regard within the community. Hawaiian Tattoos, also known as mainly the Samoan tattoo culture, but in cases also Maori and others. Sacred Ink: History Of Polynesian Tattoos. Tattoos were worn to enhance physical appearance, signify the passage of life, and to show the ranking of a person in the tribe or society. UHM Call Number: GN419.3 .K94 1996 60 pages. There is a lot of cross-cultural influence on tattoo designs throughout the Pacific. To the ancient Hawaiians tattoos were more than simple decorations. The word tattoo is derived from “tātau” in Tahtian and “kākau” in Hawaiian which means to mark the skin in color. Hawaiian Tattoo Meanings Hawaii is the largest island of the chain of islands called the Hawaiian Islands. The Hawaiian Tattoo. That combined with the recent rebirth of tiki culture's popularity do to its retro appeal seem to have made the popularity of Hawaiian tattoos … May 15, 2018. They used to identify individuals and to link them with a specific tribe and family. The traditional tattoo art from the Hawaii islands saw mainstream exposure in the late 70s and ever since then it is only expanding globally. What prevails on Hawaii as the quintessential Hawaiian tattoo style, is Polynesian tattooing. Hawaiians referred to the art of tattoos as ‘kakau.’ Both men and women in Hawaii would get body art done to mark specific moments in their life or beliefs. Hawaiian Links : Tribal Hawaiian Tattoos . History of […]