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Maori Tattoos

Last updated on October 20, 2010 By David 15 Comments

Traditionally, Maori tattoos were carved into the skin using a small instrument made of albatross bone, and took months of careful, agonized planning. They were typically worn by men of high rank. Women who were tattooed were only allowed designs upon their lips, chin and nostrils. Today, however, the process of Ta Moko has become one of the most popular styles of ‘tribal’ tattooing. The designs associated with Maori tattoos have a definite aesthetic appeal, but to many people they mean a good deal more than that. They are often used as a symbol of cultural identity, and the designs used may represent things such as genealogy, history or even beauty (as full, blue hued lips have long been considered as the ‘ideal’ of female Maori beauty).

Modern Maori tattoos (especially in the west) have moved from the face to the body. Long, twining spiral designs that were once placed near the ears or cheeks are now placed along the arms or legs. However, many Maori people find exact replicas of their art insulting. For this reason, many people who are not affiliated with the Maoris prefer to use designs inspired, but not directly taken from, these traditional styles.

One way to separate the Maori tattoos, and what could possibly be an insulting western
rendition is to use the striking spirals to create other symbols. For instance, rather than
using the rounded and graceful spirals, you could make a squared off version, and create an

interesting puzzle-like pattern. You could also use heavy lines and create a scene of waves, clouds, billowing winds, or even fire. Many people like to include reds and dark shades of blue into their designs; they will occasionally use orange and yellow as well if their patterns include things such as the sun, moon or stars. Metallic colors are generally used to produce weapon designs such as intricate knives, swords, or even throwing stars. Burgundy and purple can be used for a variety of spiraling flower blossoms.

Given the beauty of these designs, it may be tempting to delve into this style of art, but it is important to remember that they have a significant meaning to the Maori people. Tattooing is considered a sacred act, and must — like any other cultural symbol — be respected.


Related >> Armband Tattoos, Hebrew Tattoos, Henna Tattoos, Mythology Tattoos, Polynesian Tattoos, Tribal Tattoos

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Tagged With: Maori arm tattoos, Maori Tattoo designs, Maori Tattoos

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. stacey drawbrige says

    March 13, 2009 at 7:25 am

    I like the look of maori tattoo art but the sad fact is no body seems to know the real meanings
    even the tattoo guys where i live in the usa dont know.

    I would rather have a design that has a meaning.

    So i found a great site where this Maori guy who lives in New Zealand the land of the Maoris is the one expert in this field. HIs name is Tiki Obrien just google his name and you will see what i mean.

    Sadly i couldnt afford his work cause im only a student but someday will save up cause I recon hes the real deal and knows all the meanings to the Maori symbols.

    laters

    Staceystar

    Reply
  2. amber pureau says

    July 13, 2009 at 12:57 am

    Kia ora stacey,it is good that you have taken great thought into this,as this will and does mean alot to our people and culture.I am and have been living in australia for 17 years and carry my culture with mana(pride).If i was to see you or knew you, and ask the meaning and you didnt know that would be highly insulting and for the tatooists who do my peoples tatooing,should not…at all….under any circumstances..to us it is not simply a job..it is a way of life…that should not be abused in any mannerism….simply to make a dollar…so stacey i tautoko(support) you e hoa(friend) for your wise and respectful decision….on behalf of my whanau(family)..thank you bro….amber pureau brisbane queensland australia

    Reply
  3. Luke Marsh says

    July 21, 2009 at 12:46 am

    Hi, I’m also considering getting a Maori tattoo… I have not had any tattoos done yet, but I plan to get a few in the next couple of years. I decided to look into Maori designs because, obviously, they look great, but I also wanted something that had a meaning… and I’ve visited NZ before and it was the most beautiful place I have ever been to. I currently live in Australia, but I really wouldn’t mind moving to NZ, it’s so great.
    I completely respect the Maori people and culture, so are you saying that it would only be an insult if the wearer of such designs didn’t know the meaning and only got it cos it looked ‘cool’? Or is it insulting if the wearer isn’t related to Maori people in the first place? I can imagine how frustrating it would be to see kids running around with Maori designs just because they look awesome, without giving any thought to the creators…

    Luke.

    Reply
  4. CJ says

    December 24, 2009 at 10:21 pm

    I have been searching and searching for a great tattoo!! I visited NZ a few yrs back and feel in love with the land, the ppl Maori and Euro decent a like and felt like it was the place that I should have been from. I am wanting a tattoo with meaning and the symbols of the Maori ppl are so wonderful!! They represent strength, unity, understanding, knowledge, everything I want to convey in a tattoo. I am looking in getting a koru design with single twist throughout. I wear a single twist jade green-stone around my neck everyday (never take it off). I am also wondering if this would be offensive to get a design tattoo with some of these symbols. It would be completely out of respect for the culture and I would know what my tattoo meant. I would love to display this work of art proudly to ppl and tell them wat it means if they ask.

    Reply
  5. Iroama says

    January 9, 2010 at 9:20 pm

    Kia Ora Koutou!! What a Beautiful passage amber!! TUMEKE!! <3

    Reply
  6. zara says

    April 4, 2010 at 8:43 am

    Hi can anyone tell me if there is a design that means forever ? Looking for something that could have a star in it as well. Hope you can help

    Reply
  7. Tukai says

    April 11, 2010 at 3:11 pm

    E kei ra Amber. I believe most youth & their Ta Moko have no meanings to them or have any relation to their Whakapapa… Most people who design these tattoos only have a basic comprehendsion of a koru and its meanings…
    Its very well to say its offensive to me and my people. But we are taught Manaakitanga, surely this would mean that we would give them our blessing rather than be offended by it?..
    Me, i think designing your own with your own meaning to each design would suffice… Reguardless… Not everyone would be able to judge and say otherwise.

    Reply
  8. faith says

    July 17, 2010 at 1:22 am

    Hi i waas wondeirng if u could do me out a design. I want one that shows my family whakapapa and all of that ? hope u can help

    Reply
  9. Bruno says

    October 3, 2010 at 3:00 pm

    Kio ora, Ola, i from brazil and have the amazing oportunity to live in welly, nz for almost one year. i just feel in love with the culture, people, citys , food, backgorunds everythings was great for me. i agree, the maori tattoo has meanings , and is more than estetic how people here think. lots of guys has draws they think is maori, but when i ask the meaning they just dont have idea, coz means nothing is just a draw. i also have a green stone hook and wear it everyday and dont take it off. i want to have a maori tattoo i should got one when was in this beautiful country. so i wating a new oportunity to back to nz to meet all my friends again and learn more about maori tatoo, hopefully get one a mean a real one

    Reply
  10. Martin says

    November 16, 2010 at 6:51 am

    Hi,

    I am loking at Maori tattos i am thinking of getting one on my upper arm but I inderstant the inportance to the Maori people where can I find tattoos of this nature and the meaning I have a Maori design on my other arm but I dont know what the real meaning is only what the tattoo artist told me but I think what he said was false So I want to make sure this time, can someone help.
    What I would like if possible is to see a tattoo and there is an explainnation of what the meaning is so I wont be a stupid this time.
    Martin

    Reply
  11. GMotutara says

    November 27, 2010 at 12:30 am

    Kia ora all
    the best advice is contact a moko artist either in NZ Aotearoa or perhaps one that may live or be travelling through your lands.
    Speak to them directly and convey what you would like your moko to say, honour, or depict.
    If they cannot or are not able to assit you perhaps they would know of someone who could.
    It is not advised on a spiritual level to copy or imitate someone elses moko, this is not only insulting it also completly misses the entire point and wairua of our sacred moko.
    If you are meant to wear moko an oppertunity will arrise, let the gods guide you

    Reply
  12. Jon says

    November 30, 2010 at 11:41 pm

    I am looking into getting a Maori Inspired tattoo, but have a few questions. I know that tattoos in the Maori culture are very important, each tattoo is different an means something, not just some picture on ur body. I am wanting to get a double twist symbolizing me and my wife’s love for each other. can this be part of a larger Maori design? or will have to be by itself? When i say design I mean like the sleeves that you would normally see.

    Reply
  13. Gee Dee says

    December 27, 2010 at 5:36 pm

    Usually a maori tattoo shows your whakapapa, which is where you are from, your heritage and something important to your tribe or people. We are an oratory people, so our history is in our speech, not in the written word. We introduce ourselves whenever we are on the marae (traditional meeting place) and we go through our history, our name, our parents, grandparents, elders, the mountain, river, ocean, meeting house name etc etc that was designated to our tribe etc. Our moko (from my understanding) is another extension of that. In the old days, (in my tribe anyway) the old ladys could look at someones face (which is where the old ladys used to have their tattoos) and could see where they were from, who their parents were and knew straight away whether they were whanau (family) or not. This was important because remember, the Maori people were warriors and fought all the time with other tribes. This is why the Euro’s signed a treaty with us, because they could not colonise us as easily as other people/nationalitys. In my understanding, you cannot just get a maori tattoo, it is taboo. It is tribal specific and also specific to the actual person (which means to me that each tribe has their own which is translated through the tattooist and through their tribe). You must get permission, which is not easy, even for the Maori themselves. I would say, if you are looking at gettting one, then you must seek permission to use the design from the OWNER which to you means, looking for a design then finding the owner. Difficult, but necessary! Kia Ora.

    Reply
  14. Chang says

    January 26, 2011 at 5:45 pm

    Kia ora!!! Im actually looking to print a Maori tatts onto my body..and i m really interested in Maori one!!! I lived n studied in Dunas for 5 years tho…got some Maori design on my back which been done in NZ…sadly im back home now but still want more Maori art on my body and simply know that its not just a picture..its a culture and a way of life n i do respect that lot..esp when u got lots of Maori mates!!

    Now can u help me out with the design and the meaning of it….give me some clue..coz at first i was guna put a Latin word ” Be patient and tough coz some days this pain will be useful to you” on but after second thought i wud luv Maori one….any suggestion where to start with???

    Ta

    Reply
  15. Adam says

    February 2, 2011 at 12:57 pm

    Kia ora. i’ve been wanting to get a maori tattoo for years. i want to make a shoulder and upper arm design that consists of all the things in my life that are important to me like family, friends, love, protection, guidance. things like that. I’d love to top it off with a great maori saying as well. Where could i find all the proper designs and translations though? Im actually related to maori’s by marriage. they are great people. their culture is something i truly respect and am really looking into learning more about. I think if i was going to get this work done though, i’d want to go to their homelands and have it done by a true maori so as not to get it done wrong or in any typr of disrespectful way.

    Reply

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