Tattoos represent social and spiritual importance in ancient Hawaiian culture.
Hawaiian tattoos have a long historical significance dating back more than 2,000 years in Polynesia when the first natives migrated to the Hawaiian islands. The ancient Pacific cultures believed that a person's "mana" or spiritual nature was displayed though the art of their tattoos. Ancient Polynesian tattooing was among the most intricate and elaborate tattooing of the ancient world.
History
Traditional Hawaiian tattoos were known as "kakau." These tattoos held more importance than just ornamentation; they represented spiritual and social significance as well. Men were commonly tattooed on the face, arms, legs and torso, while women were tattooed on their tongues, wrists and hands. Many of the tattoos pertained to a person's social status. Those in power had the most tattoos, along with their family members. Those belonging to the slave class were tattooed on their faces.
Designs
Early tattooing was generally geometric in nature, representing natural forms such as squares, crescents or triangles, and were done entirely with black ink. Later designs of animals, birds, fish, reptiles and flowers evolved. These pictorial tattoos usually represented personal gods or honored a dead family members or ancestors. Traits of a person's personality would be compared to that of an animal and would then become his totem or talisman and be tattooed on his body.
Method
Early Hawaiian tattoo needles were made from bones and claws. Tortoise shells and sharp spine bones from fish were also utilized. A tattooing tool was made by attaching one or more needles to a wooden handle. The ink was commonly made from the soot of burnt candlenut mixed with oil and water. The needles were then dipped into the ink, placed on the skin and the wooden handle tapped with a small mallet, causing the needle to pierce the skin and allowing the ink to be absorbed beneath the surface of the skin. The word tattoo or in Polynesia, "tatau," means "applied by hand" and originated from the repeated tapping sound made from hitting the tattooing tool.
Present
Tattoos lost their prominence in Hawaiian culture when western missionaries settled on the islands in the late 1700s, discouraging the practice since it was against church doctrine. Hawaiian tattoos have since gained in popularity over the last few decades in Western culture. Today, traditional Hawaiian culture is depicted from tribal arm and leg bands to exotic flowers like hibiscus and orchids; gods of peace and prosperity; rain and fire; light and life; and numerous Tiki gods. Tattoos of island animals express the individuality of the person, as well as guard the spirit and show an appreciation for ancient Hawaiian tradition.
Tags: Hawaiian culture, Hawaiian tattoos, made from, ancient Hawaiian, family members, Hawaiian tattoos have