Tiare: (Tahitian), flower.
Tiare Tahiti (Gardenia tahitensis) is the emblem flower of Tahiti, usually simply known as tiare, literally "flower".
Flowers often appear in Polynesian designs, mainly hibiscus, frangipani, and tiare. They usually represent beauty, femininity, and joy, but they also represent new bloomings and children.
Tiare
The flower of tiare is the national flower of French Polynesia and a symbol for Ori Tahiti, the traditional Tahitian dance. It symbolizes beauty, grace, and sensuality.
Tiare flowers are often used to prepare the typical garlands worn around the neck and gifted to visitors, called ei or lei in Hawaii, and it's therefore a symbol for hospitality too.
Hibiscus
The flower of hibiscus is a constant presence in Polynesian modern tattoos, especially for women. It's the emblem flower of Hawaii and it symbolizes beauty, femininity, and passion.
It's also a symbol of the "island vibe," used to represent the "carpe diem" philosophy of living every moment to its fullest.
Frangipani (Plumeria)
Frangipani flowers (plumerias) symbolize beauty, love, and they are often used to represent children.
They are also a symbol of protection and shelter.
Puawananga
Puawananga (Clematis paniculata), the flower of knowledge, was used for treating some illnesses like migraines and it's associated with healing.
Pandanus
The leaves of the pandanus were used for all sorts of weaving, from mats to ropes, sails, and baskets--the male flower symbolizes tradition, ancestors, union with nature, and prosperity.
The Manulua Pattern
Fijian tattoos often include flowers in several forms, and they are a predominant element in prints and decorated fabrics all over Polynesia.
However, note that the following design, often regarded as a flower, is actually a combination of cross-flying birds (manulua: "two birds"), which represents the union of two families and the prosperity that comes from this union.
Usage Examples
Tattoo designed for an Ori Tahiti dancer, with tiare, hibiscus, and frangipani flowers for elegance, beauty, femininity, and carpe diem:
Hibiscus and frangipani flowers are undeniably a great way to render femininity in a Polynesian tattoo:
Pandanus male flowers and frangipanis for ancestors and children:
Flowers like this are often used to symbolize a star and represent direction:
You can read the description of each tattoo by clicking on its photo.
