The art of tattoos was considered a sacred art in Polynesian culture. A tattoo was inked in a ceremony with music (drum beats) and tribal dancing. A person who wanted the tattoo had to follow a series of rituals, both before and after inking of the tattoo. Earlier, tattoos were done using crude equipment like bird and animal bones, turtle shells, bamboos and the likes. These tattoos took a long time to heal, but yet people got them done. They symbolized courage, power,and ranking in society.
The age of eligibility to get a tattoo, was 12 years, as this age is considered a transition from childhood to adulthood. Every achievement was felicitated with a tattoo. The more number of achievements, the more would be the tattoos. In Polynesian culture, having several tattoos on the body was a matter of prestige. These tattoos were not only made on men, but also on the womenfolk of the tribes. However, the parts of the body for tattooing women was limited to the arms, chin, lips, and palms.
Polynesian tattoos are a beautiful piece of art. But, before you get a Polynesian tattoo done, please research as the tattoos have different meanings in different islands due to their diverse cultures. A tattoo should be unique and it should reflect your personality and the message you want to portray. Remember to care for your tattoo, once you get it done. A tattoo that has been looked after well always looks fresh and beautiful.
By Bhakti Satalkar
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/polynesian-tattoo-meanings.html