Throughout these Hawaiian tattoo looks, you will see examples of the ancient artwork combined with modern tattoo styles. Today, there is a movement among Hawaiian tattoos artists to bring back the designs, and even the practice, of traditional kakau tattooing. Warriors and chiefs tended to have tattoos on their upper arms and shoulders, while the women typically had theirs on their hands and lower parts of the body. Men tended to get their tattoos on the right side of the body while women got them on the left, and putting tattoos within certain areas of the body could convey different significance. In addition to the traditions of creating the tattoos, the symbols and their placements had distinct meanings. The colors were applied by specially trained artists called kahuna, the only ones permitted to apply the designs, by a bone needle attached to a stick and then struck with a mallet. Tattoos also displayed the status of the different members of society, from the leaders to older adolescents. The symbolism of the tattoo images connected to protect their well-being, physically and spiritually. Like many cultural tattoo traditions, Hawaiian tattoos did not only serve as body ornamentation, but had greater spiritual significance. Known as kakau, Hawaiian tattoos have a rich history to go with their distinctive designs. While your Hawaiian-inspired tattoo isnвЂ™t going to just appear because of your great deeds, the significance of tattoos in Hawaiian culture isnвЂ™t too far off from the way it is portrayed in the film.

If you are a fan of the film Moana, you have had the chance to see interesting (and magical) traditional Polynesian tattoos. Disclosure: This Hawaiian tattoos page contains affiliate links.

Hawaiian tribal face paint female