Many people look at Maori tattoo designs and think that they are simply beautiful images. In fact, the traditional designs that are added to the skin of Maori tribesmen have deep spiritual meaning. Here is information on the history behind these flowing, linear images.
Although the practice of permanently marking the skin with pigment can be found all over the world, Maori designs are very different than any others. This is because the culture evolved in isolation after arriving in New Zealand before 1300 CE. Their religion also evolved without outside influences. Tattooing is actually a major component of the religious and social life of the Maori people.
Although we call the process "tattooing", the proper name for the technique is ta moko. Finished patterns are known as moko. In the culture's religious history, the method of applying them was given to a human warrior by a lord of the Underworld. The warrior had courted his daughter, Niwareka. They were allowed to travel to the land of the living bearing with them the secrets of ta moko.
Instead of needles that are used in modern application methods, these tattoo designs were applied using a chisel. Different widths were used to achieve different effects. The skin was cut open during the process. Because of this, the amount of time it took for the wounds to heal was much longer than it is with modern application methods. Herbs were used to speed the healing but it was still a process that could take years to complete.
If you have a tattoo applied using modern methods you will have synthetic ink placed under your skin. This gives a wide range of different color options. Traditional designs tend to be very limited in color. This is because they used sooty materials such as burnt caterpillars and burned Kauri gum which limited the range of colors that could be used.
It is not unusual to see tattoos applied to the head and face in the Maori culture. The head is the most sacred area and so it was reserved for individuals with a very high social standing. The application of permanent patterns to the skin was extremely attractive to New Zealand women and this was one of the reasons that many warriors had them applied.
Some people still travel to New Zealand to have the tattoos applied in the traditional way. Now, however, it is not uncommon to find Maori tattoo designs on individuals who have never been to the island. If you are interested in having these flowing, linear patterns applied, choosing a reliable artist and performing aftercare properly can be the key to ensuring your ink stays as beautiful as possible for as long as possible.
Although the practice of permanently marking the skin with pigment can be found all over the world, Maori designs are very different than any others. This is because the culture evolved in isolation after arriving in New Zealand before 1300 CE. Their religion also evolved without outside influences. Tattooing is actually a major component of the religious and social life of the Maori people.
Although we call the process "tattooing", the proper name for the technique is ta moko. Finished patterns are known as moko. In the culture's religious history, the method of applying them was given to a human warrior by a lord of the Underworld. The warrior had courted his daughter, Niwareka. They were allowed to travel to the land of the living bearing with them the secrets of ta moko.
Instead of needles that are used in modern application methods, these tattoo designs were applied using a chisel. Different widths were used to achieve different effects. The skin was cut open during the process. Because of this, the amount of time it took for the wounds to heal was much longer than it is with modern application methods. Herbs were used to speed the healing but it was still a process that could take years to complete.
If you have a tattoo applied using modern methods you will have synthetic ink placed under your skin. This gives a wide range of different color options. Traditional designs tend to be very limited in color. This is because they used sooty materials such as burnt caterpillars and burned Kauri gum which limited the range of colors that could be used.
It is not unusual to see tattoos applied to the head and face in the Maori culture. The head is the most sacred area and so it was reserved for individuals with a very high social standing. The application of permanent patterns to the skin was extremely attractive to New Zealand women and this was one of the reasons that many warriors had them applied.
Some people still travel to New Zealand to have the tattoos applied in the traditional way. Now, however, it is not uncommon to find Maori tattoo designs on individuals who have never been to the island. If you are interested in having these flowing, linear patterns applied, choosing a reliable artist and performing aftercare properly can be the key to ensuring your ink stays as beautiful as possible for as long as possible.
About the Author:
Tattoo art has not only the intention of beautifying the person's image, but also has spiritual significance. He linear and flowing images of the Maori tattoo tell a great deal about the beliefs and culture of the people using it.
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