Maori tattoos are a beautiful and distinct cultural expression. However, non-Maori individuals should take great care to appropriate Maori art and culture with consent from its practitioners.
Korus
Korus symbolizes growth, harmony, and new beginnings in New Zealand fern flowers; pikorua symbolizes the connection between two people or cultures. Nga Hau e Wha, or the four winds, represent Tawhirimatea and Tangaroa and respect towards God for a prosperous and flourishing future.
The Four Winds Maori tattoos
Maori tattoos are stunning works of art that require respect and preservation to stay beautiful. Maori tattoos (“moko” in the Maori language) served as an identity marker representing social status, rank, geographical origin, family history, courage, and power. Maori people traditionally used Moko tattoos to mark achievements and significant events such as birth or illness; traditionally, non-Maori would never see their moko. Due to cultural appropriation issues, including when French designer Jean Paul Gaultier used models with moko to promote his collection, showing it off was considered disrespectful. Now more often seen than not among Maori people and others who practice the practice, such as New Zealand journalist Oriini Kaipara is regularly seen with her moko. Although cultural appropriation still occurs, such as when French designer Jean Paul Gaultier employed models with moko in advertising his clothing line.
Maui
Maori culture is well known for the Maui, an iconic creature representing power and strength. Sometimes depicted with fishhooks as its form, this motif also stands for good luck and abundance – making it one of the most beloved tattoo designs among men and women alike. Mori’s facial and body art was once misunderstood by Europeans, who saw it as symbolic of war and cannibalism. However, more tattoos refer to an individual’s social status, occupation, and genealogy. Another iconic New Zealand symbol, the Koru, is another popular choice and represents growth and harmony. This design can be added to Manawa lines or used as individual tattoos, often placed on a person’s calf as one of the least painful locations to get inked for first-timers.
Manaia
The Manaia is the Maori Guardian Angel for strength, pride, and unity. It wards off evil spirits while acting as an overseer for the sky, earth, and sea. Its bird-like head symbolizes the soul’s flight, while its three fingers signify birth, life, and death, as part of the Maori belief that life’s cycle never truly ends. An altar can help connect you to the spirits of your ancestors and symbolize how your life’s path sometimes crosses with those of others and vice versa. While being an iconic symbol of Maori culture, Moko has recently come under scrutiny due to claims of cultural appropriation. French fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier caused outrage after using non-Maori models with moko designs for his latest collection. Maxwell welcomes any interest from other cultures to spread the message about moko and spread awareness of it further.
Hei Matau
Maori art and symbols convey a profound spiritual bond with nature, with artwork made from wood, bone, and stone representing rich cultural traditions and mythologies. Hei Matau, or stylized fish hook design, symbolizes prosperity, strength, and health. It is also thought to bring safe travel over water; its roots lie in Maori legend, where Maui used woven lines with hooks made from his grandmother’s jawbone to capture an enormous fish and was later called Hei Matau by all. Maori have always considered the ocean a significant aspect of life. Fishing was essential to their survival, while prayers to Tangaroa, the God of the sea, provided protection. Wearing Hei Matau became a symbol of Maori spiritual connection to sea life and creatures; now worn for luck and safety on all journeys over water.
Koru
The Koru tattoo, representing an unfurling frond from New Zealand silver ferns, is an ancient symbol of new beginnings and hope for the Maori people. It represents family, growth, and life itself, symbolizing that once one fern dies, another will grow to take its place. These Maori symbols have been used for centuries in tattooing art and pounamu carvings to communicate cultural meaning and heritage. When tattooed onto skin or displayed as wall hangings today, these Maori symbols carry those values into the future while showing your connection with the land – especially since Maori-style tattoos have gained global acclaim!
