To prepare for my national traditions presentation on Polynesian tattoos, my information was mainly gathered from Roberto Gemori’s The Polynesian Tattoo Handbook, which encompassed the design process, common symbols and motifs, and the importance of location, size, and placement on the body. I was intrigued by the complexity of the different styles that comprise “Polynesian,” some of these styles which will go into more depth as a separate presentation like Samoan or Marquesan. There is a common presence of geometric shapes and straight lines in all types of Polynesian tattoos. While there are a number of Polynesian tattoo styles, something common among all of them was the lack color (typically only black) and the use of straight lines and repetition. Polynesian tattooing is a sacred ritual and incredibly important to the cultural and social significance of an individual. The function of Polynesian tattooing is not only a performative art, as the practice of this ritual is incredibly selective, but those who practice are highly regarded as “tattoo masters” who are capable of understanding these symbols and motifs and have the ability to organize them in a way that reflects the journeys or achievements made by the woman or man. As a studio art major, the designs and motifs that are incredibly common and what they stand for were important to me in understanding the sacred significance of this to Polynesian culture.
During my research, I have also been taking a class based on Hollywood and was reminded of Maui in the movie Moana and his song “You’re Welcome” which displays his tattoos and how it is a way to show one’s hardships and possibly overcoming journeys. The distinct style and the story of Moana is based off of Polynesian cultures and I found it interesting the way that they portrayed the various tattoos as story lines for the demigod’s many tales.