What is the meaning of the Samoan tattoo?
The tattoo and designs of the Samoa islands represents community, power, status, respect, honor, and is a mark of pride that are only to be worn by Samoans. The Samoan word for tattoo came from the Polynesian language. The word tatau originates from the tapping sounds of the tool made during tattooing.
Does tattoo mean open wound in Samoan?
The western word tattoo is taken from the Tahiti word “tatau” meaning open wound! The tradition was kept alive in Samoa, and revived in the 1980’s in its old form in Tahiti along with other ancient “supressed” arts like firewalking, chanting and dance.
What do Mauis tattoos mean?
Maui Slows Down The Sun In the teaser for the movie, Maui uses his tattoos to boast about his exploits and impress Moana. One of his deeds was to slow down the sun with his magical fish hook, a reference to a Maori myth where the demigod lengthens the day so more work can be done.
What’s a Samoan tattoo on a woman called?
Malu is a word in the Samoan language for a female-specific tattoo of cultural significance. The malu covers the legs from just below the knee to the upper thighs just below the buttocks, and is typically finer and delicate in design compared to the Pe’a, the equivalent tattoo for males.
What does tatau mean in Samoan?
Meaning ‘tattoo’, tatau is one of the many words meaning tattoo in the Samoan language. For example, the word ‘pe’a’ means ‘male tattoo’ and often refers to the dark charcoal-colored ink on the tatau. The word for female tattoo is ‘malu’, which also means to be protected.
What is the tatau Samoa?
The tatau meaning “to mark” is a longstanding traditional Samoan practice. For men, it is the pe’a, dense tattooing which completely covers the lower body from waist to knee. The malu is the equivalent tattoo for women and covers the legs from the upper thigh to behind the knee, but is not as dense as the pe’a.
Where did the word tattoo come from?
The word tattoo, or tattow in the 18th century, is a loanword from the Samoan word tatau, meaning “to strike”. The Oxford English Dictionary gives the etymology of tattoo as “In 18th c. tattaow, tattow. From Polynesian (Samoan, Tahitian, Tongan, etc.) tatau. In Marquesan, tatu.”
Why didnt Maui’s parents want him?
History. According to Maui, they took one look at him after his birth and decided they didn’t want him as they refuse to bear the difficulties of raising a child. As such, they threw him into the ocean like he was nothing, though he was saved by the gods, who raised him to become a demigod to provide gifts for humanity …
What is a Samoan ghost tattoo?
1 Answer. 1. The tattoo was something he had done in prison. Billy Bob Thornton talks a little about it when he refers to it as a “count”. It’s a count of each gang (not just its members) in prison that tried to take him out.
What is a Samoan tattoo called?
Samoan Tattoos, called tatau in the Samoan language, are a type of Polynesian tattoo that became famous in popular culture from WWE or the Rock.
What does the tattoo of the Sun mean in Samoa?
The meaning of the Samoan sun tattoo is connected to the sun’s meaning of a rebirth. It symbolizes leadership and eternal life, as well as the brilliance of life on Earth. The turtle shell is shown in Samoan tattoos as a symbolic image of lines and dots which signifies the meaning of the turtle shell.
What does a tatau mean in Samoan culture?
The tatau are more of a symbol of pride in Samoan culture. A Samoan male traditionally must ask his elders for approval for his tattoo request, and once it has been approved it is a proud moment for him. He may eventually receive tattoos completely covering his body including his abdomen, rear, and legs.
What do turtle shells mean in Samoan tattoos?
When it comes to the Samoan tattoo you will often see turtle shells in them. Each symbol in the tattoo can have four or five meanings and that what makes them so cool and honorable. The turtle shells have a special meaning and that includes longevity, fertility, peace or wellness.
What’s the difference between Catholic and Samoan tattoos?
There is always a difference between Catholic tattoo designs and the rest but it is wrong if you think that cross is only used in the former one. In this Samoan tattoo, you will see there is a circular pattern and a cross in the middle but this cross is more of a tribal cross symbol rather than a Catholic cross.