Unknown History of Hawaiian Tattoos

Hawaiian tattoos have gained popularity in the Western world lately. Hawaiian tattoos are very symbolic in nature and people who prefer to ink themselves with tattoos of deeper meaning will like the cool Hawaiian tattoo designs. Ancient Hawaii was part of Polynesia, and when the Hawaiians migrated to Hawaii islands, carried on many of the practices of the Polynesians including tattooing. Hawaiians were very spiritual in nature and the tattooing process was deeply entrenched in ritualistic and spiritual beliefs.

The tools involved in tattooing in ancient Hawaii involved sharp beaks or claws of birds, spines of certain fish or carved bones or tortoiseshell that made the needle, which was then dipped in ink. The ink comprised of the ash of candlenut mixed with coconut or sugarcane juice. A mallet type of instrument was used to pierce the skin to puncture it so that the ink got deposited below the surface of the skin. There used to be only one colour to the tattoos and that was black. Since the Hawaiians were brown in skin tone due to sun exposure, the effect of a black tattoo looked striking.

Only the royal family were allowed to have the maximum number of tattoos, as the number of tattoos adorning the body represented the social standing of that person. Following the royals were court officials and then people who entered the royal family through marriage. Not everyone could perform the tattoo piercings, only the elders of the tribe with great spiritual powers and expert in this field could perform it. Tattoos were considered quite sacred and believed to protect the person from evil forces. Some tattoos were considered so powerful that they were thought to have their own specific power.

Typically, the tattoos that were done in ancient Hawaii represented life on the Hawaiian Islands - birds, fish, turtles, waves, rocks, sun, etc. Hawaiian tattoos could be called tribal in nature with geometric designs. They also represented their gods in the form of animals. Beloved family members who had passed away or legends could also be commemorated in the form of tattoos.

Both genders could be tattooed but it depended on their influence. Mostly men were tattooed on their chest, face, arms and legs. Women were tattooed on their wrist, hands and tongues. Slaves would have special facial tattoos to signify their place in society.

Even today, many Hawaiians wear their tattoos as part of their cultural heritage and not only because they are the latest rage in fashion terms. Many Hawaiian tattoo artists chose their profession as a salute to their heritage and also so that the rest of the modern world becomes aware of their rich heritage. Today, Hawaiian tattoos are inspired from the petroglyphs that are still present in the caves of Hawaiian Islands. Now this art has been transferred not only to tattoos but on canoes, paddles and sails as well.