Maori Tattoo Designs
The word Maori is the name of the indigenous people that are from New Zealand. The Maori tattoo designs are a small set out of the group of Polynesian tattoos. The Maori use a different method of tattoo procedures than many other cultures throughout the world. While the majority of tattoo designs use needles to puncture the skin and inject ink, the Maori use a procedure called Ta Moko. In earlier times, a sort of chisel-like instrument made of bones is put on the person’s skin with ink on the tip of the chisel. It is then struck with a hammer and this makes colored grooves in the person’s skin. In the 19th century and onward, needles replaced the chisel, which is faster and resulted in fewer injuries and health risks.
The Maori tattoos were made in order for the Maori people to show their cultural uniqueness to the world. Most of the Maori people would receive these tattoos, but the poor could not usually afford these tattoos. The Maori received these tattoos when they were teenagers and it showed the transition from childhood to adulthood.
The location of these tattoos varies from person to person, but most of the Maori tattoo designs are found on the back, stomach, chest, arms, and legs. Recently however, the designs are located on a person’s face, though this was uncommon centuries ago. The overall design is primarily made up of large and bold lines that repeat throughout the area of the tattoo. Spiral designs are also common. The artists of the Maori tattoo designs were highly regarded among tribes because of their unique artistic talent. Facial tattoos are usually designed based on any unique features a person has. They usually follow the shape and contours of a person’s face and augment the natural contours and expressions they have.
Since there were many tribes in New Zealand, they would create Maori tattoo designs for several reasons. They would often select certain designs based on what body part it would be located on. Tribes would also select them if they reflected either the personality or physical features of the person receiving the tattoo. In modern times however, the tattoo is typically chosen as a result of the person thinking that it looks cool and does not put enough consideration into the symbolism and meaning behind the tattoo.
Someone who is considering receiving a Maori tattoo should put great time and thought into making this choice. Firstly, receiving a tattoo that is as complex and delicate as a Maori tattoo design is very expensive. Someone considering getting such a complex tattoo needs to seriously consider the financial aspects of such an addition to their body. Also if they are getting it done in the traditional method, it is a long and sometimes painful procedure because of its complex design. And lets not forget that a tattoo is permanent and it may be something that you may not want for the remainder of your life.
Fade Away Your Unwanted Tattoo Now!
Tags: 19th Century, Adulthood, Arms And Legs, Artistic Talent, Bold Lines, Chisel, Earlier Times, Facial Tattoos, Health Risks, Indigenous People, Maori Tattoo, Maori Tattoo Design, Maori Tattoo Designs, Maori Tattoos, Natural Contours, Person To Person, Polynesian Tattoos, Spiral Designs, Tattoo Needles, Transition From Childhood, Tribes, Uniqueness