Meaning of Maori tattoos, 60+ beautiful Maori tattoo designs

1 Maori tattoo meaning

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.

2 Beautiful and unique Maori tattoo designs

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, …