Because Europeans made regular contact with Maori tribes, a group of missionaries later decided to study Maori and try to convert them to the ideals of Christianity. Often Maori would take the tattooed heads of their enemies as trophies during war and kept them in ornate boxes as symbols of power, conquest and protections. Captain Cook and Joseph Banks first saw the intricate tattoos of Maori tribesmen during their voyage to the South Pacific, and became fascinated and intrigued by it.Įuropean explorers in New Zealand were very interested in the art of Maori tattooing and culture. The word tattow itself was pegged as Cook’s adaptation of the native Tahitian word tautau. The art of Maori tattoo was brought to New Zealand by the people of Eastern Polynesia in 1769 Captain James Cook. Tohunga ta moko were mostly men, but there are a few women who take up the practice. These tattooists are highly respected, and considered tapu which means inviolable or holy. The Maori tattoo artist is called the tohunga ta moko which means moko specialist. They are always highly intricate and detailed and display the craftsmanship and artistry of not only the artist but of the Maori culture. The great thing about Maori tattoos is that to this day, no two tattoos are alike. The tattooing would begin usually during adolescence. Often this tattoo covered the whole face and was a symbol of rank, social status, power and prestige.įor Maori, tattooing was (and for some, still is) a rite of passage, which meant it was highly revered and ritualised. Since the Maori people consider the head to be the most sacred part of the body, the most popular kind of Maori tattoo was the facial tattoo, which was composed of curved shapes and spiral like patterns. Ngapuhi Maori elder Kingi Taurua’s traditional facial tattoo (Photo: AFP) The artist will then sketch a rough design which will show you the overall look of your design as well as highlighting your various meanings. Typically, the process for your tattoo is that you come in on the date/time of your appointment for a consultation with our artist to discuss the meanings you wish to incorporate in your design. This is where you can bring your ideas to the Artist and talk about a final concept for the piece. This begins with a Consultation with the Studio either in person or via email. We have a design process we go through with all our Clients.
The Process of Designing your Hand Crafted Maori Tattoo ( Ta Moko ) at Zealand Tattoo
INFINITE SPIRAL TATTOO SKIN
Kiri means Skin and Tuhi means Art, we generally tattoo the body and arm areas on our customers so it will be defined as Kiri Tuhi rather than Ta Moko was reserved for the face only. The most valuable tiki’s were carved from greenstone and were handed down through generations and treasured possessions. The Maori believe the tiki represents the unborn human embryo. The tiki is a talisman to the Maori people, and has been regarded as a good luck charm from the ancient times. Assumed to be clear thinking, perceptive, loyal and knowledgeable, the wearers strength is their character. Likened to a bird sitting on your shoulder, looking after ones spirit, and guiding the spirit where it is supposed to go when the time comes.Ĭommonly known as a good luck charm the tiki is also considered a symbol of fertility. Traditionally depicted as a bird like figure with the head of a bird, body of a man and the tail of a fish it acts as a provider and protector over the sky, earth and sea. The manaia is known as a spiritual guardian, and carrier of supernatural powers. Shows talent and achievement in athleticism or sport and can also be representative of a new challenge. Representative of Taranaki (a region of New Zealand) as well as prosperity, mackerel tail.įish scales that represent abundance and health. Different Infill Patterns ( Black Areas ) in your tattoo and their meaningsĭog skin cloak, representative of warriors/battles/courage and strength. When you add every koru off your Manawa line you can be adding the important people in your life journey, Mothers, Fathers, Grandparents, Children, siblings, Loved ones friends family and so on. Korus are based off the tiny new growth shoots on the New Zealand Fern plant and represent New Life and New Beginnings. Main Korus coming off the Manawa Lines are used represent people and people groups. Main Manawa Lines are the skin looking lines in your maori tattoo, MANAWA is the Maori word for Heart and represents Your Life, your Life Journey and your time spent on Earth. Kiri means Skin and Tuhi means Art, we generally tattoo the body and arm areas on our customers so it will be defined as Kiri Tuhi rather than Ta Moko was reserved for the face only.Īll Maori design is made up of a number of essential design elements.
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