Tattoo: Compare And Contrast Of Polynesian Groups

The Art of Tattoo: Compare and Contrast of Polynesian Groups As someone, like myself, who has many tattoos and plans to get more, has been intrigued as to where “tattoo’s” originated from. The original meaning of tattoo came from Polynesia and another concept of tattoo in Tongan, which was spelled like tatau or tatu. The definition of tattoo now is: “The act or practice of marking the skin with indelible patterns, pictures, legends, etc. and by making punctures in it and inserting pigments.” Now that we know the origin and meaning, let’s compare and contrast the Marquesas and Maori tattoos. First, the Marquesas idea of tattoos was beyond beautification in every way. It not only indicated status and rank depending on the quantity and quality of tattoos.

Certain patterns were applied to more wealthy or ranked individuals but also to the common man, just in a more subdued version. Not only was it about wealth and power, tattoos also served as a form of spiritual armor or protection. It is almost like wrapping the body in spiritual armor. Another example is priests who were very much trained in this art form applied the tattoos during rituals, chants, or ceremonies. The Marquesas Island tattoo involved black, carbon-based pigment under the skin with a bird-bone tattooing comb or chisel and mallet. Second, the Maori idea of tattoos was more about rank, almost tribal related in every way. The Maori’s word for tattoo was moko. Both sexes in this area are tattooed. For instance, more men had tattoos and women and men had tattoos in the face and buttocks, and women in the lips and chin. Slaves also had tattoos as well, in the location