The difference between a traditional Maori tattoo and a normal tattoo is that it creates a grooved texture on the skin as opposed to the smooth finish of a normal tattoo. Ta Moko involves scarring the skin to reflect the whakapapa (genealogy) of the tattoo-wearer. In recent decades, the significance of ta moko has risen slowly as a practice to revive the cultural identity of the Maori. Men adorn their face, arms, thighs, and buttocks with Maori tattoos. Women get these designs on their chin, throat, forehead, nostrils, and lips. Most ta moko symbols have a specific meaning, and the designs made using these symbols usually tell a story. Find out more about these symbols and patterns in the following sections.
Maori Tattoo Patterns
Maori tattoos feature distinct patterns and symbols and are inspired by unique creatures. Some of these patterns include:
Unaunahi: It is inspired by fish scales and represents wealth and abundance. Taratarekae: This distinct pattern represents the teeth of a whale. Ahu ahu mataroa: It symbolizes talent and success. It is believed that it holds the power to overcome obstacles. Hikuaua: It represents Taranaki, a region in New Zealand. It also represents prosperity. Pakati: It is inspired by dog skin cloak and represents warriors and strength.
Besides these common patterns, Maori tattoos also feature some distinct symbols. Check them out below.
Common Maori Tattoo Symbols
Koru (spiral): The koru design represents new beginnings and growth with harmony. It looks like the unfurled leaf of a fern tree. Hei matau (fish hook): The fish hook tattoo symbolizes prosperity, abundance, and wealth. Single twist: A single Maori twist represents path of life. It symbolizes the eternity of life and death. Double or triple twist: Multiple twists represent the union of people or cultures. Even though there might be variations and ups and downs in life, the bond of friendship conquests all. Manaia: The manaia is said to be a carrier of supernatural powers, a guiding angel, and the protector of the world. It is represented as a human with a bird’s head and a fish’s tail. Hei tiki: Hei tiki is considered to be a symbol of fertility and good luck. It represents clear thinking, knowledge, and loyalty.
Now that you have a basic understanding of what various Maori tattoo patterns and symbols mean, let’s check out the best Maori tattoos trending right now!
25 Best Maori Tattoos With Their Meanings
Simple Maori Tattoo Design On The Upper Back
Maori designs are usually quite intricate. They feature monotone colors and a distinct outline. This beautiful design of octopus legs on the left side of the back is a head-turner. The intricate traditional Maori detailing in each tentacle makes it even more attractive.
Maori Foot Tattoo
The Maori tribe considered tattoos to be an auspicious part of their culture. Having a tattoo on the feet represents your urge to discover and travel. It also stands for a spiritual guide that represents who you truly are. This beautiful design on your foot will add an ethnic touch.
Marquesan Cross Maori Tattoo
Marquesan designs feature fine steady arches and lines that form a cross. They originated from the South Pacific islands. They are an important part of Polynesian tattoo art. They represent the balance between elements and harmony. The bold lines of the cross contrasting with the thin lines of the of the surrounding design will look beautiful on your forearm.
Maori Leg Tattoo
If you have long legs, get this beautiful black blaze design inked on them. This design extends from the upper thighs to the ankles and features thin borders. The best highlights of this Maori tattoo are the feminine swirls and light shading, which make it look even more interesting. The padded muscles on the side of your legs will make the tattooing process a little less painful, and the design will make people drool!
Maori Tattoo Design On The Shoulder
A tattoo on your shoulder looks sensuous and can be flaunted with a cold-shoulder top or off-shoulder dress. This elegant Maori tattoo features a tropical flower with a conical strip of traditional Maori design. The overall design looks like a comet.
Mandala Maori Tattoo
Maori tattoos are special because they feature beautiful geometric designs, which are also found in mandala art. This beautiful design cups your elbow and encircles your forearm and upper arm. The traditional monotone Maori design makes the tattoo look even more gorgeous.
Maori Tattoo Design On The Calf
The calf is one of the least painful places to get inked if you are a first-timer. This beautiful band design encircles your calf with minute Maori details. The thin borders of the design look great when you wear shorts or skirts.
Arm Maori Tattoo
Getting a tattoo on your arm is a great way to show the world exactly who you are. This traditional Maori tattoo, featuring a beautiful shield design with a thin border, is the perfect one for your arm. The intricate wave design is typical of Maori culture as they were sea explorers. If you are a fan of tribal art and ethnic designs, this is the perfect design for you.
Warrior Maori Tattoo
Maori tattoos were initially worn by people to portray their social status and profession. But, they soon started to be used to reflect the identity of a person. This mesmerizing design features the face of a tribal warrior with a geometric shield above his head. This intricate design is perfectly symmetrical. The tattoo covers your entire forearm, from your elbow to your wrist, and ends in a conical design.
Traditional Maori Tattoo
Traditional Maori tattoos were done by engraving the skin, which created a raised texture on the surface. The present-day Maori tattoos have inculcated the modern tattooing techniques, so they leave behind a smooth texture on the skin’s surface. If you are a fan of traditional art and want to escape the pain of traditional tattooing techniques, try this elegant Maori design that covers the length of your leg. The wave design filled with fish, turtles, and hawks tells a story. With the creativity of the artist, you can make the tattoo look three-dimensional to keep the people wondering if you got it done the traditional way!
Forearm Wave Maori Tattoo
The forearm is the perfect place to flaunt your tattoo. This beautiful wave design surrounding a band of triangles portraying the mountains is the perfect tattoo to get etched on your skin.
Wrist Maori Tattoo
Getting inked on your wrist is always a brave thing to do because there is no way to hide it (unless you wear gloves). However, it is only for the daring souls as the wrist has very little fat and many of nerve endings, making it very sensitive. Test your pain threshold with this traditional Maori art with a cross in the middle, which gives it a religious connotation.
Flower Maori Tattoo
There is nothing more feminine than a flower tattoo. The traditional Maori women got tattoos on their upper body parts, but with modernization and Western cultural influence, they now flaunt tattoos on all body parts. This beautiful thigh tattoo of a five-petal flower with a splash of blue and purple in the background looks absolutely enchanting.
Maori Tribal Tattoo
Maori tribal tattoos mixed ancient cultural art form with geometric designs and thin and thick outlines. This unique piece of art on the forearm features a circle with spikes as the focus of the tattoo around the bulge of the arm. The pattern surrounding the circle is a distinct element of ta moko.
Classic Swirls Tattoo
Swirls are a classic design sported by tattoo lovers on their forearms and legs. Maori art, with its twisting and symmetrical patterns, is the perfect inspiration for swirl tattoos. This particular design forms a diagonal band that wraps around your arm and looks elegant and sassy.
Awesome Maori Tattoo Design On The Neck
Originally, Maori tattoos were adorned by women on their chins, necks, and foreheads. A neck tattoo can look very stylish as it draws attention to your upper body. This beautiful tattoo forms a collar around the neck and reaches down until the cleavage. The use of original Maori design and repetitive patterns make the tattoo even more beautiful.
Sun Maori Tattoo
The sun was considered to be a majestic source of energy and believed to possess divine and masculine powers. A sun tattoo in the Maori culture represents courage, supremacy, and liveliness. This beautiful tattoo is bordered by a band and has a traditional sun design that fits beautifully on your forearm. The design has a distinct black silhouette that creates a gorgeous contrast with your skin tone.
Gecko Maori Tattoo
A chameleon is a reptile that possesses the ability to blend into its surrounding environment. A gecko tattoo symbolizes the power to adapt to the hardships of life in all circumstances. It represents rebirth and nimbleness. This beautiful design of a chameleon body with intricate Maori art filling will look perfect on your forearm.
Maori Band Tattoo
This beautiful tattoo features an ethnic owl design, with its wings forming a band around the arm. The use of light shading with jet black ink gives this design a traditional look.
Maori Tattoo Design On The Back
Maori tattoos highlight the shape and curves of your body beautifully. This elegant tattoo design is an eye-catcher. It divides your back in perfect symmetry, leaving one half empty and the other half full of traditional Maori art with intricate fish designs.
Eagle Tattoo
An eagle tattoo is used to symbolize focus on goals and valor. It also represents purity, beauty, and force. This beautiful eagle tattoo with the wings spread out on the back is perfectly aligned with the spine. The delicate design and use of classic Maori art make the tattoo even more appealing.
Fish Hook Maori Tattoo
The Maori fish hook or Hei Matau tattoo is used to symbolize prosperity and surplus. It also represents courage, determination, and wealth. It was believed to be a good luck for people who went out on voyages. This beautiful design will look perfect on your thigh.
Turtle Tattoo
A turtle represents immortality and good health. In the Maori tribe, this tattoo is considered a symbol of patience, peace, knowledge, and determination. This elegant design featuring beautifully colored twin turtles will look gorgeous on your lower calf. The use of intricate Maori art on the shells of the turtles is sure to make heads turn.
Feather Tattoo
Feather tattoos are the new trend in the tattoo world. Feathers are used to symbolize various characteristics of birds like freedom, strength, and bravery. The Maori tribe used feathers to denote messages from the heavenly souls. This feminine design of a Maori feather is the perfect piece of art to go on your forearm.
Sun And Moon Maori Tattoo
The circular shape of this tattoo is used to symbolize the endless cycle of life. This twinning sun and moon tattoo represents renaissance, asset, and authority. This beautiful design is drenched in vibrant colors and adorned with bands at the bottom to complete the semi-ethnic look. Getting a tattoo can be quite tedious and painful, so it’s best that you take all the necessary precautions to make sure it does not get infected. Check out this article to find out how to take care of your skin before and after you get a tattoo. Maori tattoo art has a fascinating history that has captured the imagination of people all over the world. Find out more about it in the next section.
The History Of Maori Tattoos
It is believed that ta moko was born from a love affair between a man named Mataoroa and the princess of the underworld named Niwareka. The legend goes that she went above ground to marry Mataoroa. The knowledge of Ta Moko was not known above ground, so Mataoroa did not get designs tattooed on his body and simply got them painted. One day, after a fight between the couple, the princess left him and went back to the underworld. Upon realizing his mistake, Mataoroa followed her to the underworld and reached her after many overcoming trials and obstacles. His sweat smeared his painted tattoos, for which the people of the underworld mocked him. Embarrassed at his appearance, he asked the king to teach him the art ta moko. Impressed with his devotion to their culture, Niwareka forgave him and they left for the world above, this time carrying back the true knowledge of ta moko.
Reviving The Art Of Ta Moko
Ta moko faced a gradual decline in the 20th century, but it has seen a revival in the past two decades because the Maori people have chosen to uphold their cultural integrity and pride by wearing these tattoos. A Maori writer and academic, Dr. Ngahuia Te Awekotuku said, “Ta moko today is much more than a fashion statement, a passing fad for Māori. It is about who we are, and whom we come from. It is about where we are going, and how we choose to get there. And it is about for always, forever.” Most ta moko designs today have a traditional base. They are usually a mixture of the old and new art styles. While the traditional tattoo artists (tohunga ta moko) used hand tools (ihu) to carve the designs on the skin, the modern process uses tattoo needles to make the process more effortless and precise. In the modern era, the Maori tattooing techniques have undergone modifications to make them less painful. Now it is not any different from the usual tattooing procedure, except for the exclusive Maori designs which are unique and beyond comparison. There are many cultural organizations, like Te Uhi a Mataota, that are working to preserve the ta moko culture among the natives. Though the original ta moko tattoos were meant to represent social identity and status, they don’t necessarily serve the same purpose anymore. They are admired for their beauty and the creativity of the artist.
With their increasing popularity around the world, Maori tattoos are becoming pretty among ethnic tattoo lovers. There is hope that the ta moko art form will keep the whakapapa history alive for centuries to come. What is the Maori symbol for family? In Maori, to symbolize family, the koru – the swirl pattern, is arranged together in a nest. If there are three family members comprising the parents and a child, two swirls at the bottom represent the parents, and one smaller swirl balancing in the center on top of them represents the child. Can a non-Maori get a moko? No. The moko is sacred to the Maori people because it represents their whakapapa (ancestry). Each arrangement of a koru (swirl) is different for every person of Maori descent as the arrangement represents their story. A non-Maori may get a Kirituhi instead of a moko, which does not include whakapapa. But to avoid being accidentally disrespectful to the culture, it is better to get it done by a Maori tattoo artist, so that you do not end up copying someone else’s story or whakapapa pattern. If as a non-Maori you do not find a Maori artist, it is better to avoid getting a Maori tattoo.
