Polynesian Tattoo Symbols and their meanings

Polynesian tattoos can tell stories, protect, inspire.

Did you know that each design is made up of several smaller elements, comparable to building blocks, which are selected by the tattoo master based on their meaning and then assembled together in a coded order to create the final piece?

Just as sentences convey meaning if their words are chosen and joined properly, so do Polynesian tattoos if they are properly designed.

Unfortunately, that is true even when they're not chosen properly, and that's the problem: you never know what could be symbolized by your tattoo.

Keep in mind that these tattoos are NEVER just nice designs: they are deeply rooted in tradition and are a sacred art. Getting a Polynesian tattoo in a respectful way goes through understanding their purpose and essence. Being able to tell what each symbol of your tattoo represents is the bare minimum required to show your respect for this tradition and its origins.

The 5 main Polynesian styles of tattooing

That's why this site was born.

We want to help you find your perfect tattoo, well designed and using the symbols correctly.
Tattoos are a serious thing in Polynesia, and it's a pain for any trained eye to see designs that have invented or mocked symbols.

So we decided to publish articles monthly to share information on the symbols, their origins and purpose, and how they can be used within a tattoo.
They are all accessible in the SYMBOLS section, and can even be collected as PDF cards (freely downloadable). If you don't have time to keep checking, leave your email below and we'll take care of it all, delivering each new card straight into your inbox:

Send me the new cards!
You can also download the single cards separately >

And if you love this and want to know even more, we do have two books that collect over 12 years of research from countless sources, verified individually one by one to guarantee this work is among the most comprehensive and accurate ever published on Polynesian tattoos.

The Polynesian Tattoo Handbook vol.1 & vol.2

While Volume 1 is a comprehensive introduction to the world of Polynesian tattoos, Volume 2 is an unprecedented resource for those who wish to take one step further and delve deeper into the styles, elements, and meanings of this art.

"I live in Hawaii, purchased many Polynesian design books in the past but, this one is the best so far. Very extensive in defining Polynesian symbols & placement. Love it!"

Catana Padilla

Hawaii

"This is such a well thought out and reverent book, well deserved of the sacred art form and important root of our Polynesian culture. I feel blessed to have found it, I learned so much!!"

Kerissa Savea

Hawaii

"I gave this book as a gift to an artist. She loves it and shared that the book really opened up her mind to the culture and appreciation for the lifestyle and expression of the Polynesian and South Pacific Island peoples and their art."

Chiqui's Mom

USA

"Interesting read with history and insight into tattoo origins of Polynesian people groups! I recently got a Marquesan tattoo and wanted to learn more about the symbols. This book helped me to understand the various design concepts."

BeeBee

USA

"The writer has obviously done their homework and made it easier for the ordinary man in the street to follow."

John Mochan

UK

"Very helpful for understanding and finding the right motives. Interesting background stories about the culture and the meaning of the symbols."

Nicolas Kroyer

Germany

Polynesian Tattoos

Want the Handbooks too?

"I live in Hawaii, purchased many Polynesian design books in the past but, this one is the best so far. Very extensive in defining Polynesian symbols & placement. Love it!"

"This is such a well thought out and reverent book, well deserved of the sacred art form and important root of our Polynesian culture. I feel blessed to have found it, I learned so much!!"

"I gave this book as a gift to an artist. She loves it and shared that the book really opened up her mind to the culture and appreciation for the lifestyle and expression of the Polynesian and South Pacific Island peoples and their art."

"Interesting read with history and insight into tattoo origins of Polynesian people groups! I recently got a Marquesan tattoo and wanted to learn more about the symbols. This book helped me to understand the various design concepts."

"The writer has obviously done their homework and made it easier for the ordinary man in the street to follow."

"Very helpful for understanding and finding the right motives. Interesting background stories about the culture and the meaning of the symbols."

Each person is unique, right?

Let your tattoo be unique too, shape your dreams!

.shape your dreams.

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