Polynesian Tribal Tattoo
Worldwide Guide

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Present you Polynesian tattoos on TahitiTatou
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An online handbook to create a meaningful tattoo

Instructions for use

The online dictionary of Polynesian tattoo symbols is a practical handbook to choose your own symbols and make sure you put the right motifs that represent you, on your skin.

The symbols are based essentially on Polynesian myths as well as semantics (the meaning of words) in the main Polynesian languages.

The dictionary give you two search options:

The meaning of symbols are based on Polynesian mythologies as well as more recent interpretations, as for Rainbow Man petroglyph in Hawaii.

- what is the meaning of such and such motif, and the body parts symbolism
- how to represent such and such aspect of your life (family, prosperity, fighting spirit, etc.) through Polynesian motifs.

The dictionary of symbols is updated regularly with new definitions, images, articles...

As a subscriber, you will also have access to extra practical pages related to the creation of your tattoo. For example:
- How to create a

To see an excerpt of the dictionary click the above image.

"talisman tattoo".
Creativity is the ability to create what you desire in your life. Everyone has some and you can develop yours through mastering simple spiritual principles.
Seven steps you need to follow to increase your personal creativity are explained in the subscribers area.

After you have read “how to develop your creativity”, you can create a "talisman tattoo" which will be the representation of your dream, and will help you turn it into reality.

Custom designs: We have selected a few reliable professionals who are available to create your custom Polynesian design. You will be able to present them your project in the subscribers area.

Foreword
The online dictionary is not intended to replace the “intuitive reading” that some Polynesian tattooist are able to do. It is supplementary.

The method used to determine the meaning of symbols is the linguistics. We have researched words related to tattoo motifs in the main Polynesian languages (Maori, Tahitian, Hawaiian, Marquisan, Tongan, Samoan, Rarotongan, and Paumotan) and specially their meanings in Polynesian myths. Thus symbolism of motifs rely on deep Polynesian roots.
Nevertheless, the symbolism of a motif has its part of subjectivity and a motif may have different meanings for different people. Even meanings that are not mentioned in this dictionary.

As every tribe have their own symbols, it is not possible to go in-depth into every tribal tattoo symbol system. Besides, some traditional patterns are tabu (sacred) and cannot be presented publicly. These specific traditional patterns can only be tattooed and explained by traditional tattooers authorized by elders.

Some Polynesian tattooists have a very developed intuition. They can “read” the aura and help you choose your symbols.

In order to determine a personal interpretation, based on your own intuition, you may ask yourself the following questions: what does the symbol mean to me? what does it remind me of? how does it make me feel?

The graphic style has a big influence on the “spirit” of the motif. Likewise, the spirit of the artist has a big influence on his drawing. So, for example, a lizard designed in tribal style by an artist fond of trash metal, won’t have the same symbolics as a lizard done by a Marquesan artist in the wilds of his island.

This dictionary does not claim to be the “Bible” of Polynesian symbols. It is rather a practical manual providing a solid cultural background which will allow you to go farther in the research of your personal symbols.

Faaitoito
Tahiti Tatou team

P.S Reminder of an important tattoo principle: a tattoo is something personal. Please do not copy! This rule applies both to modern and traditional motifs.

In the online  dictionary, you will find:
- the meaning of the following motifs:

Angel, Animal, Bird, Boat, Braid, Butterfly, Calligraphy, Canoe, Centipede, Dolphin, Enata, Fish Hook, Flower, Hei-Tiki, Kava, Koru, Letters, Lizard, Maori, Mermaid, Moko, Name, Ocean, Octopus, Porpoise, Rainbow, Rainbow Warrior, Ray, Scorpion, Sea, Shark, Ship, Spirals, Sun, Ti, Tiki, Tortoise, Turtle, Whale... New motifs added regularly.

- How to represent:

abundance, adventure, affection, ancestor, army, artisan, aumakua, beauty, beyond, birth, blessing, bonds, bright spirit, calm, candid, carefree, change, charm, chief, children, clear mind, commitment, courage, craftsman, dear ones, death, deepness, descendants, determination, earth, energy, extra sensorial, family, fertility, fighting spirit, flying, foundation, freedom, friendship, fruitful, god, good vibrations, greatness, growth, happiness, healing, higher perspective, hope, independence, intuition, joy, land, leadership, life energy, lightness, liveliness, long life, love, loved one., magic, man, mana, marriage, might, moon, mother, mystic
new life / start, no-fear, ocean, peace, person, positive energy, priest, priestess, princess, prosperity, protection, purity, queen, rebellious, reincarnation, relationship, rest, retaliation
sacrifice, sensuality, soaring, spirit, spirit world, spirituality, strength, success, talisman, tattooist, teamwork, tiki, to choose, to divide, to fend for yourself, to move forward, to part, to progress, to rise above, totem, travel, unity, untamable, vitality, wisdom, world, young brother.

Body symbolism

The symbolism of the body is now online in the subscriber s area! This informatio n is essential to help you choose the right location for your tattoo.

Human beings are the children of Rangi-Heaven and Papa-Earth. In the beginning Rangi and Papa were united. Now that they are separated men’s quest is to find this unity again inside themselves. Men are the link between Earth and Heaven.
Awareness of the body symbolism can help us to gain unity and harmony within ourselves, with others and with the Universe.

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