Polynesian tattoos

   The group of islands Polynesia settles down in the South central part of the Pacific Ocean. The population of these islands unites a lot of things, though they are scattered from each other on many kilometers of ocean space. Common language, history, culture, and also ancient traditions of the image of drawings on a body. Polynesians were considered as good seafarers, they long since could define location by means of stars and the provision of the sun. As soon as in Polynesia there was a new inhabitant, right there he was celebrated, and tattoo drawing on his body was tradition. To tattoo attached sacred significance, it symbolized courage, nobility and dedication. Because the nationality of the islands of Polynesia practically didn't own writing, tattoos served, so-called, records about history and the people past.

   At the beginning of the 17th century when the first Christian missionaries visited islands, they forbade the local people to draw tattoos. But in the 80th years Polynesians after all renewed ancient tradition of the ancestors because pride of the life, history and culture are peculiar to these people. On an equal basis with restoration of art of a tattoo, Polynesians returned a set of other forgotten crafts to life. On hips and buttocks of Polynesians symbols and letters flaunted black color, at women often blue ink beat out signs on a back and a waist. Drawing of a tattoo trusted only in shamans who were skilled in this art form and knew how it is correct to connect symbols and signs.

   Polynesian tattoos often meant culture, history, life and a life of nationalities of islands. Value of some tattoos testified to divine mission of shamans and healers. Was considered that the more tattoos it is made on a body of the person, the above his situation in society is a sign of power, the big power, force and prestige. Original tattoos were invented only for bigwigs, commanders or leaders. If someone had no tattoo, and for the person it didn't consider. With such people preferred not to communicate, looked down on them and didn't notice their presence.

   For girls there was a certain age when they could receive for the first time tattoos. From 12 years to the girl drew a tattoo on the right hand, now she could prepare the dead for burial. Due to more belittled status of women in a tribe of Polynesians, they received less significant tattoos, than men. Most often unclear symbols roughly intertwined at women on a body, being reduced to one course, either to the head, or to a back. The wife of the nice soldier was allowed to have a tattoo on a foot. The most popular Polynesian tattoos became with the image of sea animals (dolphins, sharks, fishes, god Territorial election commissions and turtles).

Here some popular designs of tattoos of the islands of Polynesia:

-  The gecko – symbolized high powers, notes of leadership and the power connected with mysticism.  Polynesians were afraid of people with such tattoos and considered that it brings them diseases, hunger and an omen of terrible events.  The gecko brings failure, death and all adversities.

- Sharks - the Image with a species of a shark was granted to only elected soldiers and seamen. The shark symbolized protection against enemy attack, force and power.

-  Cockleshells – were symbolized by prosperity, fertility and wealth.  The owner of such tattoo was extraordinary lucky in affairs.

- Turtles – the main symbol of long painless life and a good health, along with abundance and wealth.