Maori tattoos have been around for more than 1,000 years, originating from the Maori culture – the name used to refer to the indigenous people living in New Zealand. Nowadays, tattoos on their bodies are signs to reflect their roots and ancestors. Besides, it is also a symbol of social rank, power, talent or marriage status. Therefore, Maori people often get tattoos from when they were teenagers.
Maori tattoo meaning
The face or neck are places where Maori men often choose to get tattoos because they believe the head is the most sacred and important part of the body. Women tattoo their lips, chin or throat to show their charm. Each pattern on a Maori tattoo is complex, requiring talented artists and creativity and ingenuity.
Maori bracelet tattoo
This tattoo design has the image of a rectangular band wrapped around the neck or upper arm. The motifs on it can be mackerel tails, whale teeth, etc. Maori bracelet tattoos all represent strength and courage.
Tattooing a bracelet with shapes like spears represents strength
Bracelet tattoo with fish tail details and special symbols
Still familiar symbols but rectangular in length, stretching up to ½ arm
Add a unique variation of the fish fin pattern to represent the head
A tattoo that resembles a hook is a sign of reaping rewards and prosperity
Stylized hook shapes with a bit of pattern
The fish tail tattoo represents the leader
Tattoo with many details and symbols
Enjoy the creativity that combines traditional Maori with modern cosmic imagery
A miniature painting about the size of a Maori tattoo strip
Maori tattoos represent strength and strong will
Maori pattern tattoo on leg
Tattoos on parts of the legs such as ankles, thighs, calves, etc. are mostly spiral characters or mythical mascots in Maori culture. Such tattoos represent the meaning that they will be supported by the gods to have more motivation to move forward.
Maori calf tattoo shows strength in every step
An extremely complicated and difficult calf tattoo
Unique Maori aboriginal symbol
Still the familiar fish fin pattern, modified with the calf part
Most symbols are in the form of rectangular blocks with pointed ends representing decisiveness and strength
The tattoo combines thorniness and softness with curving lines
Maori tattoo on chest
Maori tattoos on the chest are like talismans, acting as a “screen” to protect you. Maori people love this tattoo position, especially the left chest, close to the heart, with the meaning of determination, strong enthusiasm and optimism to overcome all challenges and hardships.
A chest tattoo located entirely above the heart, embracing the left chest
Maori chest tattoo shows enthusiasm
Combining tattooing on the chest and part of the shoulder blade is extremely strong
Tattooing a mascot like the sun with halos around it represents love for the tribe
Not only the left chest, the right chest is also used for unique patterns
A simple but unique and beautiful Maori tattoo located on the entire left chest
The hook symbol and intricate patterns are meaningful in overcoming all challenges and thorns
Maori tattoo on hand
Large tattoos are often drawn on the arm, partially or completely. Smaller images will be tattooed on the wrist or finger. Patterns used in hand tattoos tend to be elegant and do not need to be too respectful or strict like the images of land, sea, wind, fish hook,…
A Maori tattoo on the upper arm looks very strong
Add coordinate numbers to make the tattoo more unique
Maori pikorua is like a growing fern, symbolizing new life or a special beginning
Get creative with unique colored maori tattoos
T shirt is bold when tattooing the whole arm with Maori tattoos
Maori tattoos with familiar circle symbols represent the tribe
Just a little tattoo on the tip of the arm but it’s already extremely powerful
The unique tattoo combines mascots, symbols and even relatives’ names engraved in red
Tattoos like stairs create a realistic and unique feeling
Maori tattoos of children are the most popular tattoos that represent the head
Tattoos with extremely sophisticated but unique and quality motifs
Tattoos of mascots such as turtles and fish represent extraordinary strength
Difficult and intricate Maori tattoos on the arm
New owl tattoo
Tattoos quite bring a “strong” visual experience to the viewer
Maori tattoos on girls’ hands are both beautiful and strong in personality
Maori tattoo on face and chin
Maori people especially value the head area because this is a sacred and majestic area, so tattoos also need to meet that. Traditional and nostalgic tattoo designs on the face and chin such as manawa, pikorua, …
The first female MP with traditional Maori tattoos in the New Zealand parliament
The uniqueness and impression of Maori indigenous tattoos
A fish hook tattoo on the face shows pride and bravery