Let's take a closer look at the cultural significance of these tattoos, in the different islands of the Pacific Ocean.
Cook Island Tattoos
The tattoos in the Cook Island included markings associating the wearer to his or her tribe.
Tahitian Tattoos
In Tahiti, tattoos were inked on the basis of social standing and ranking. Only tribe members belonging to the upper class were tattooed. These tattoos were inked all over the body, and sometimes on the face.
Marquesan Tattoos
The art of tattooing is a very important aspect in the culture of this island. 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.
Hawaiian Tattoos
Hawaiian tattoos were etched for a person's identification or simply as a fashionable work of art on the wearer's body. The tattoos were believed to protect the wearer from mishaps. These tattoos were also inked to honor the dead, who were close to the wearer.
Maori Tattoos
The Maori tattoos of New Zealand, have distinctive spiral designs, which signify strength, courage, social status, and passion. The tattoos contain markings and reveal the ranking of a person, and also signify the wearer's passage of life.
Samoan Tattoos
A Samoan tattoo, is like a documentation, telling the story of the person who sports the tattoo. It contains rank, age, and social standing. These tattoos are large and complicated. They are adorned by both men and women.
Easter Island Tattoos
Tattoos worn by the people of this island have religious significance. It is believed that these tattoos make the skin blessed, so that the wearer can communicate with God.
Tonga Tattoos
Tonga tattoos, are very similar to Samoan tattoos, telling the life story of the wearer and showing his ranking in society and his age.
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/polynesian-tattoo-meanings.html