Men who desire a traditional tattoo should consider Polynesian designs as symbols of peace, health, strength, and the balance between humans and nature. Lizards can often be found among these tattoos – seen as good luck symbols and potential death signs!
Turtle
The turtle symbolizes longevity, peace, rest, and grace in moving through life with an adventurous spirit. This easy tattoo design features linear designs for a quick creation.
Polynesian tattoos may appear random at first glance, yet each element holds significance – for instance, a shark’s teeth could symbolize rank or genealogy or simply strong swimmers. Lizards are another common feature in Polynesian tattoos, often representing an enata symbol as messengers between humans and the gods.
Spearhead
Shark teeth or niho mano are popular in Polynesian tattoos, representing protection, guidance, strength, ferocity, and adaptability. The data is an iconic Polynesian tattoo symbol that stands for an ancestor or divine figure, often used on its own or as part of a pattern. Additionally, this motif may represent family or groups of people.
This beautiful sleeve stands out with its clean linework and solid black packing – which is often difficult to achieve in this style of tattooing. It is an outstanding example of how multiple symbols can come together seamlessly.
Ocean Waves
Polynesian tattoos often incorporate ocean waves as an iconic design element, symbolizing life, continuity, and change. Additionally, this particular design includes spearheads to symbolize strength and courage during battle.
tattoos that exude power and strength are ideal for men with lean bodies who wish to project a sense of forcefulness and masculinity. This piece features both solid packing and bold lines.
tattoos that feature traditional Polynesian culture can be great conversation starters for people interested in its rich traditions and stunning art forms, as witnessed by famous macho men such as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Jason Momoa sporting these types of designs on their bodies.
Enata
In the Marquesan language, human figures, known as data, can be included in tattoos to represent men, women, or even gods. When joined together or placed upside down to represent defeated enemies. When placed in rows, they form ani ata, meaning “cloudy sky,” which symbolizes our ancestors watching over their living descendants.
Shark teeth (niho mano) are another classic Polynesian tattoo symbol, symbolizing protection, guidance, strength, ferocity, and an ocean motif representing their home region of Polynesia.
Shark Teeth
Shark teeth can often be found adorning Leiomano weapons used for basic survival in Hawaii. Furthermore, surfers, sailors, and Island folk believe wearing necklaces with shark teeth will protect them from shark attacks.
Normal circumstances dictate that when children lose their baby teeth, their permanent ones typically replace the roots, dissolving and eventually falling out as expected. But about 20 percent of the time, an ectopic eruption occurs instead of dissolving and falling out naturally, as expected. The permanent tooth does not dissolve but appears behind the baby tooth – this process is known as an ectopic eruption.
Lizard
Lizard tattoos carry similar connotations as Renata, yet are generally associated with protection and guardianship. Commonly found on shoulders, arms, or chest, these designs symbolize courage, power, and leadership.
An exquisite Polynesian tattoo with clean linework and dense packing of black ink. Additionally, this style perfectly highlights the hands.
Polynesian culture holds that a chest tattoo symbolizes power, courage, maturity, and rank; therefore, males commonly get one as part of their coming-of-age ritual. Women could opt for tattooing their thighs to symbolize beauty and marriage instead.
Stingray
This piece is an outstanding example of the distinctive line work associated with Polynesian tattoos, including solid packing and harmful spacing elements that add visual interest while not overcrowding the design.
Stingrays are cartilaginous fish related to sharks. Their anatomy includes gill slits and an array of sharp spines behind their pelvic fin, which they use for protection from predators; these spines contain protein-based venom that can pierce the skin and kill humans.
Polynesian culture features the stingray as an emblem that symbolizes their ancestors and their power and protection, often used as part of patterns with multiple Enata symbols in a linear formation.
