POLYNESIAN TATTOO SYMBOLS & MEANINGS

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Turtle

Sample showing the Polynesian symbol of turtle and its variations.
Turtle can be the most important and popular element in Polynesian culture. It’s connected to many meanings and the most common ones are long life (eternity), wellness, fertility, union, family and harmony. It also symbolizes the navigator.
Turtle plays an essential role in Polynesian culture. The sea is regarded as the source of food and Polynesian people believe that it’s also the world beyond, in which they will rest after death. And because turtles can freely move between the sea and lands, Polynesian people believe that they will bring them to their destination, the rest place.
Turtle are often designed with many complex patterns and symbols to express plenty of meanings. We will list one complex turtle design below.
Two “enatas” combined are one form of turtle. Other forms are turtle shells combined together, like the ones represented in the picture below the header.
Below are several samples that include turtles.

Polynesian Tattoo Symbols and Meanings - Turtle Application Sample
Polynesian tattoo photo sample 1 which represents a turtle.
Photo sample 2 of Polynesian forearm tattoo which includes a turtle .

Shells


Sample showing the Polynesian symbol of sea shells and turtle shells and their variations.
In Polynesian tattoo designs, shells are very common in many designs, especially turtle shells. Turtle shell is a symbolization of turtle, which is a very important sea creature in all the cultures of Polynesian triangle. It has more meanings than other symbols. Some complex turtle designs could have quite a lot of meanings, according to its elements embedded in. Basically, turtle shells symbolize longevity, wellness, fertility and peace. For more turtle’s meanings you can wait for our next post. :-)
Other shell symbols are mainly sea shells. They often have many variations and stylizations. Seashells are a main source of works of art. Sea shells often symbolize shield, protection and intimacy. Bivalve shells symbolize couples and marriage. Compared to other Polynesian symbols, sea shells are not commonly seen in many tattoo designs.
Below are several design and photo samples of turtle shells and sea shells.

Polynesian Tattoo Design - Turtle Shell Sample
(From Tattootribes)
Polynesian tattoo photo sample 1 with turtle shells.
Polynesian tattoo photo sample 2 with turtle shells.
Polynesian Tattoo Design - Sea Shells Sample

Polynesian Tattoo Symbols & Meanings – Ocean


Sample showing the Polynesian ocean symbol and its variations.
Ocean symbols are very common among Polynesian tattoo designs. They are usually used to not only express specific meanings but also fill some blank blocks in order to shape complete patterns. Polynesian people regard the ocean as their final destination where they go when passed away. So sometimes the ocean is a symbol of death, or the world beyond. Besides, the ocean is also regarded as their source of food and can represent life, fertility and persistence. Ocean waves are used to symbolize the other world beyond too, which is a homeland where all ancestors live, where they’ll eventually be. The picture above shows its basic pattern and variations and a few application samples will listed below.
Polynesian tattoo design sample with lizards, shark teeth and ocean symbols.
Polynesian tattoo photo sample with ipu, ocean and turtle shells.
Polynesian tattoo photo sample with ocean symbols embedded in.

Human Symbols – Enata


Picture showing Polynesian tattoo symbol "enata" and its variations and combinations.
“Enata” is a typical motif in Polynesian tattoo designs to symbolize humans and gods. It originates from Marquesas language. It’s commonly used for representing life experiences, birth, rank in society, etc. It can be also used by combination to represent relationships, such as marriage, family, relatives and friends. Actions can be also represented, for example, a combination of enatas and a creature means defending this dangerous creature. A reversed enata is also used for symbolizing an enemy. The picture in this article shows a basic enata and its commonly seen variations and combinations. In Polynesian tattoo designs, you’ll commonly see a semi-circle of enatas, like the two semi-circles in the lower right corner of the picture, which means the sky, guarding all the Polynesians and their children.
Below are some Polynesian tattoo samples of the use of symbol enata:
Picture showing an enata sample used in a Polynesian tattoo design.
Picture 2 showing a combinations of enatas embedded in a Polynesian tattoo design.
Picture 3 showing an enata couple used in a Polynesian tattoo design.




Sun


Sample showing the Polynesian sun symbol and its variations.
In Polynesian tattoo designs, the sun often goes with other symbols to express specific meanings. Many rounded Polynesian tattoo designs include the sun’s meanings. In Polynesian culture the sun often stands for riches, brilliance, grandness and leadership. The sun’s periodic rising is regarded as eternity, giving consistent source, which is similar with other cultures. The sun’s rising is connected to rebirth and the sunset does not symbolize death, but a passageway to the world beyond.
The meanings of Polynesian tattoo designs which include the sun can vary from design to design, according to the usage of symbols that constitute the sun’s edge. Rays with different symbols express associated meanings.
There are quite a lot of creative Polynesian sun designs from skillful tattoo artists, which are not limited to the form mentioned above. Some application samples of the sun symbol are listed below:
Polynesian Tattoo Design - Sun Sample
Polynesian tattoo photo sample with sun, tiki, enata and shell symbols.
Polynesian tattoo photo sample which shows an excellent sun design.

Fish – Shark Teeth


Picture showing the Polynesian shark teeth symbol and its variations.
Shark teeth is another fish symbol which is very popular among Polynesian tattoo fans.  Nearly over 50% Polynesian tattoo designs have shark teeth symbols embedded in. It’s also called “niho mano” in Polynesian language.
Shark teeth usually represents shelter or coverage, guidance, power, ferocity, adaptability, etc. In Polynesian legend, sharks also represent the god of Polynesian people. It has lots of variations and combinations, like the ones showed in the pictures above.
Below are 3 samples of design and photos that display the application of shark teeth symbols in Polynesian tattoo.

Polynesian tattoo design sample with tiki and shark teeth.
Polynesian tattoo photo sample with shark teeth symbols embedded in.
Polynesian tattoo photo sample show the application of shark teeth symbols.

Lizard (or Gecko)


Picture showing a Polynesian tattoo symbol, lizard,  and its variations.
In Polynesian culture, lizards and geckos are regarded as a form of appearance of gods by people, with a name called moko (which is also the name of facial tattooing in Maori culture). It’s a very important part in Polynesian beliefs. Because they are symbolization of Polynesian gods, and also regarded as ancestors of Polynesian people, so they look quite similar to “enata”, the symbol of man. They are kind of creature who can talk to gods and watch the hidden world, bringing fortune to a person who has it in his tattoo and delivering death enemies.
In Maori branch of Polynesian culture, lizard are used for guarding evils and illness. Lizard in other cultures, for example, Australian Aboriginal culture, is a symbol of regrowth, surviving from disasters.
You can find many lizard symbols embedded in Polynesian tattoo designs. A few samples below will show you how tattoo masters embed the lizard symbol in a tattoo design.
A sample of lizard symbol applied in a tattoo design.
A sample of Polynesian lizard symbol applied to a manta tattoo.
A sample showing a lizard symbol embedde in a Hammerhead Shark Tattoo.

Spear Heads


Picture showing Polynesian tattoo symbols of spear heads and its variations.
The Polynesian tattoo symbols of spear heads can be found in almost every Polynesian tattoo design. It’s designed to express courage and fight. It’s also used to represent warrior, sharp items, and sting of animals and rays. Spear heads are usually used in combination with other symbols to express certain meanings. For example, one line of spear heads and one line of enatas upside down along its side can express the meaning of defeating enemies. Like the picture above, it has many variations with arrows repeating.
Below are some samples of the use of Spear Heads in Polynesian tattoo designs:
Picture showing a sample of spear heads used in a Polynesian tattoo design.
Picture 2 showing a sample of spear heads used in a Polynesian half sleeve tattoo.
Mobile cover showing a sample of spear heads used in a Polynesian tattoo design.

Tattoo and Culture

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.

History

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.


source : http://www.buzzle.com/articles/polynesian-tattoo-meanings.html

MANDALA HENNA PATTERN

Saturday, August 10, 2013



Mandala (Sanskrit: मण्डल Maṇḍala, 'circle') is a spiritual and ritual symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism, representing the Universe. The basic form of most mandalas is a square with four gates containing a circle with a center point. Each gate is in the general shape of a T. Mandalas often exhibit radial balance.
The term is of Hindu origin. It appears in the Rig Veda as the name of the sections of the work, but is also used in other Indian religions, particularly Buddhism.
In various spiritual traditions, mandalas may be employed for focusing attention of aspirants and adepts, as a spiritual teaching tool, for establishing a sacred space, and as an aid to meditation and trance induction.
In common use, mandala has become a generic term for any plan, chart or geometric pattern that represents the cosmos metaphysically or symbolically; a microcosm of the universe from an enlightened perspective; i.e., that of the principal deity.


  Vajradhatu Mandala


 resource :  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandala


mandala pattern





 mandala henna pattern








SYMBOLISM OF HENNA

Henna Traditions and Symbolism

Because henna is part of many cultural traditions accross many regions there are a number of symbols used within the art and each have various meanings and uses.
Here are some of the more popular symbols and blessings used within mehndi art:

Palm decoration ~ designs invoke images of opening and offering (usually sun, flower, mandala)
Back of hand decoration ~ acts as a shield-closing, defending, clenching-symbolizing protection.
Right hand ~ Male, Projective
Left hand ~ Female, Receptive
Feet ~ The feet are recognized as a point of divine contact, considered a holy junction,
where Human being and Earth meet.

Symbolism
Peacocks ~ beauty
Swans ~ success
Birds ~ messengers (between heaven and earth)
Butterflies ~ transformation
Parrots ~ messengers of love
Dragonflies ~ rebirth
Fishes ~ a womans eyes
Scorpian ~ love and romance, its sting is analogous to Cupid's arrow while being stung produces the same effects as being in love - glittering eyes, breathless, heat and feverish
Flowers ~ joy and happiness
Vines and leaves ~ longevity, devotion, perseverance, entwined lives and vitality
Lizards and snakes ~ seekers of enlightenment
Tortoise ~ Protection and fertility
Lotus Blossom ~ the light within / the awakening of the human soul. Grace, beauty, creativity, sensuality, femininity, and purity.
Sahasrara ~ thousand-petal lotus ~ uniting the soul with the 'Divine Source'
Sun, Moon,and Stars ~ deep and lasting love between lovers/partners
Paiselys ~ represent fertility and good luck
Eye ~ said to mirror back the 'Evil Eye'
The bud ~ signifying new growth especially at the end of a drought, and thus represent new life, fertility and joy - or as a metaphor in bridal mehndi to symbolise the start of a new love and a new life.
ZigZag ~ this symbol means "rain" and represents fertility and abundance.
The game (chess board) ~ an ancient symbol which, in different variants, represents happiness and joyful moments.
Ripples ~ represent running water, which purifies and brings life. Also symbolising human emotion.
Square ~ magical, used to heal and protect the sick.

resource :  http://www.hennaheaven.co.uk/section381901.html


  • On the palm: typically mandalas, flowers, or the sun. Evokes offering and opening
  • Right hand: projective, masculine
  • Left hand: receptive, feminine
  • Back of the hand: defending, closing, symbolizes protection
  • Feet: recognized as a holy intersection divine contact point where mother earth and humans meet
  • Right eye: male power, sun
  • Left eye: female power, moon
  • Adjoined lines: symbolizes life’s duality
  • Downwards triangle: passive feminine water symbol and grace coming down from heaven
  • Triangle: active masculine fire symbol and grace going up to heaven
  • Stars: hope and divinity
  • 5 pointed star: the 5 elements of heaven, air, earth, water, and fire
  • Diamond: enlightenment
  • Square: shelter, honesty, and permanence. Also symbolizes healing and protection of the afflicted
  • Cross: considered a cosmic symbol
  • Octagon: protection
  • Crescent moon: a newborn baby
  • Circle: wholeness, unity, and totality
  • Palm branches: fertility
  • Peacocks: passion, desire, and love
  • Lotus blossom: womanhood, cleanliness, purity, tree of life, chastity, the light inside us all, the soul awakening, sensuality, grace, creativity
  • Paisleys: virginity, beauty, good fortune
  • Butterfly: metamorphosis, transformation
  • Swan: success
  • Birds: messengers between the earth and heaven
  • Dragonfly: rebirth
  • Parrots: love messengers
  • Fishes: eyes of a woman
  • Flowers: happiness, joy
  • Scorpion: romance, passion, and love. A scorpion’s sting is said to be similar to the effects of Cupid’s arrow such that people in love feel feverish and breathless
  • Leaves and vines: vitality, perseverance, devotion, longevity, and lives entwined
  • Snakes and lizards: enlightenment seekers
  • Tortoises: fertility and protection
  • Thousand petal lotus blossoms: the soul uniting with the divine, light Sahasrara
  • Buds: symbolizes fertility, new life, and rebirth
  • Ripples: symbolizes emotion and flowing / running water for bringing life and purification
  • Stars, moon, and sun: connotes the enduring and deep love between life partners / lovers
  • Chessboard / game: comes in a host of variants as with mandalas. An ancient symbol representing life’s joyful and happy moments
  • Zigzags: represents abundance and fertility and symbolizes rain
resource :  http://citybackyardfarming.com/henna-designs-henna-symbols-and-meanings/


Symbolism in Tantric Philosophy
Point (Bindu)- The Supreme Reality
Seed (Bija)- The mysterious matrix in which everything emanates and merges.
All symbols begin with the seed.
Triangle -
Pointing up (Shiva)- Signifies active male principle. Resting on its base it represents fire, and the ascent to heaven.
Pointing down (Shakti) - Signifies active female principle. Reflects all that is feminine-water, fertile valleys, and grace descending from heaven.
Six Point Star (Satkona)- Signifies union of feminine and masculine principles.
Square (Catuskona)- Stability and order. Implies honesty, dependability, and shelter.
Diamond (Vajra)- Enlightenment.
Pentagram (Pancakona)- The 5 sections symbolize elements of fire, water, earth, air, and heavens.
Circle (Cakra)- Whole, perfect, infinite.
Mandalas- Concentric forms relating to a center point. By concentrating on a mandala the viewer penetrates the many layers of reality and moves towards an inner truth.
Flowers- Joy and happiness.
Lotus Flower- The awakening of the human soul. Grace, beauty, creativity, sensuality, femininity, and purity.
Sahasrara ~thousand-petal lotus~ uniting the soul with the 'Divine Source'
Sun, Moon,and Stars- Deep and lasting love between lovers/partners.
Vines- Devotion and perseverance, invoking both tenderness and vitality.
Birds-
Peacock (Mayura)~ Companion while separated from a loved one.
Swan (Hamsa)~ Success.
Scorpion (Bicchu)- Romance, its sting is analogous to Cupid's arrow.
Water- Human emotion.
Raindrops (Bundakis)~ Love and affection of a woman.
Waves (Lahariya)~ Deep passion and ecstasy.

Symbolism from Morocco
Eye - Said to mirror back the 'Evil Eye'.
Square - Magical, used to heal and protect sick.
Water - Earth's fertility.
Bird - Messenger (between heaven and earth).
Tortoise - Protection, and fertility (from its relationship to water).
Lizard - Soul's search for enlightenment.

resource : http://www.mehndimama.com/info.html

Mehendi Symbols, Patterns and meanings

Mehendi is a custom or tradition in India that has been present and handed down for centuries together. Initially used mainly for its healing and cooling properties, Mehendi, or "Henna" as its more popularly known here, has become famous for its designs all the way till the West. Today Mehendi designing has become commercial and is part of many important Indian ocassions, infact in an Indian wedding the "Mehendi" is a seperate day and occassion itself!

Mehendi designing is much more than just 'designing'. Like everything traditional in India, it symoblises a lot more than being just pleasing to look and feel, its mostly known to bring Good luck to the wearer. The darker the color the better the luck!..

I have done research on what these Mehendi symbols and motifs mean and have listed some of the main motifs incorporated in Mehendi designs.


In India, board games have been popular since time immemorial. This simple
representation of a game board is a traditional Indian henna pattern dating at least to the late 19th century, and continues to be included in contemporary patterns. Artists may include this pattern as a metaphor for the "game of chance" that is a marriage, or as an expression of games as an enjoyable holiday activity.*



"Some people call this pattern a scorpion, some call it a pot hook, others call it a meander, some see it as a growing vine, while others speculate that it was used as an ancient symbol of reincarnation or life force. As a simple image of a scorpion, it is a symbol dating to the Middle Eastern late neolithic and early Bronze age and was associated with
women. The scorpion was a symbol of the goddess Inanna. Henna patterns from Rajasthan from before 1950 often have little scorpions on the fingers. Old henna and love songs use the metaphor of the scorpion for love: love, like a scorpion sting, makes one breathless, causes a massive hot hard swelling, and the inflamed part feels better when
dunked into something moist and soothing. The scorpion is also used in henna as a protective amulet, to "sting" the Evil Eye."





The Bud is one motif that is used widely by designers in mehendi in India and world over. Buds signify new growth like at the end of a drought and at the beginning of a rainy season or as a metaphor in bridal mehendi to symbolise the start of a new love and a new life.

Water ripples.

Ripples with bubbles in them.



Peacocks and the paisely are supposed to represent fertility and good luck.




These patterns are known as mandalas which means 'circle'and these circles are made to symbolise the Sun. The sun holds a lot of importance in Hinduism. It symbolises caring and protective of infertility, hunger, and sorrows of old age and death;It is also a symbol of blessing and fertility , resource : http://deviyanisblogs.blogspot.com/2007/11/mehendi-symbols-patterns-and-meanings.html