Maori Tattoo Designs

The history of Maori Tattoo Designs goes back many centuries and Maori Tattoo Designs stand out from most other tattoo designs because they have significant meaning attached to them, and are deeply rooted in Maori culture. Because of their powerful significance and beautiful asthetic appeal, Maori tattoo designs make excellent tattoos, but you should understand the meaning of a Maori tattoo before you get it, do not simply get a Maori tattoo because it looks nice.

Before you get a Maori tattoo investigate the history behind them and the cultural significance to the maori people. The Māori are the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand. Most historians believe they arrived in south-western Polynesia in waves before 1300. The Māori settled the islands and developed their own distinct culture.

Europeans coming to the islands, and what is now known as New Zealand, in the 18th CCentury disrupted Maori life and the Maori people went into decline in the 19th Century. But since the 1960s there has been a popular revival of Maori culture.

Drama and Power

And Maori tattoo designs have become incredibly popular around the world because of their dramatic, powerful designs and significance. According to Maori cultural mythology, tattooing began with a love affair between a young man called Mataora and a young pronicess of the underwolrd, names Niwareka.

One day Mataora beat Niwareka, and Niwareka fled back to her father's realm in the underworld 'Uetonga'. Filled with regret Mataora followed his princess into Uetonga and faced many difficult tasks and challenges, finally arriving at Uetonga. But when he arrived his wife's family mocked his bedraggled appearance, his face paint and clothes had been destroyed.

Ma taora begged Niwareka'a forgiveness, and she eventually accepted his apology. But before they returned to the real world Niwareka's father decided to teach Mataora the art of tattooing.

Powerful Meainings

Archealogical evidence shows that tattooing came to New Zealand from Eastern Polynesian culture. Ancient Māori artists have always been fascinated with the natural world. Through their understanding of symbolism and abstract form they depicted nature as movements of rhythmic and cyclic patterns. Maori tattoos are unique and reflect the natural world in this way. The patterns in Maori tattoo designs are interpreted as the life force and energy of the universe.

It is a good idea to research carefully the meaning behond Maori tattoo designs before you choose one. Many contain sacred symbols, which might offend Maori people who see it if you do not use them in the correct context. Search online for maori tattoo designs that you like, then go to a good Maori tattooist, or a tattooist who has a solid understanding of maori culture and ask them about the meaning and signifince of the images.