Beyond the Simple Definition
The Polynesian concept of Mana is one of the most profound and widely recognized ideas shared by Pacific cultures.
It is a unifying force that links the spiritual to the material, the ancestors to the living, and the spiritual world (Te Pō, also darkness) to the material world (Te Ao Marama, also light).
It is usually referred to as energy, but it goes beyond that: it is a sacred power derived directly from the gods (atua) and ancestral lineage (whakapapa). To possess Mana is to possess authority, influence, and efficacy, which is the ability to make things happen in a meaningful way.
Since it's a core concept in Polynesian tattooing as well, let's try to understand it better.
Defining Mana - The Sacred Source of Influence
The word mana appears in virtually all Polynesian languages, from Maori and Samoan to Hawaiian and Marquesan. It is such a unique and complex concept that there is no single English word that captures its essence. We can see it as a union of the following:
- Divine Authority and Power: it is power derived from the gods (atua), which means that Mana is inherently spiritual and sacred
- Influence and Status: a chief's influence, status, and dignity stemmed directly from the Mana he possessed
- Efficacy and Success: the ability to be effective. If a fisherman had great Mana, his nets would be full. If a warrior had great Mana, he would not be defeated in battle
Mana is an intangible quality that commands respect, whether in a person, a place, or an object (everyone and everything is connected by Mana and has some of it). It is a means by which the divine manifests its presence in the world through specific vessels.
I have underlined the word "vessel" because this is specifically evident in the Polynesian tattoo symbol ipu, which represents a gourd used as a container.
For extension, ipu becomes the word for container, and since ancestors are vessels of Mana, containers of Mana, ipu are used in Marquesan tattoos along the arms to symbolize ancestors being a source of Mana.
Their placement on the arms suggests that they are strength "enhancers", while their placement on the chest indicates a link to vital energy and divine origins.
By representing the ancestors in a tattoo we ensure that their Mana is passed on to the recipient of the tattoo.
The dual origin of Mana, inherited and acquired
The most powerful and foundational source of Mana is inherited through genealogical lines.
This said, Mana is not merely something poured into a vessel once and for all; it is also a process that requires cultivation and successful manifestation.
A chief could lose Mana if he failed to provide materially for his people, or if his actions led to defeat or famine.
In Polynesian society, Mana was constantly being tested and validated through real-world outcomes.
On the other side, a skilled carver or warrior could gain Mana through demonstrable success and superior ability.
While birth provided the foundation, Mana could be actively accumulated throughout a person's life (as proved by their successes), or lost (following their defeats).
An example of this is, again, tattoos.
Tattoos could show, and increase, the Mana of a person, and having the tattoo created and inked by renown artists who possessed great Mana was a way to guarantee that the Mana of the bearer would be affected in a positive way, and not diminished by a mediocre work.
The land itself has Mana, which the people must respect and protect, and specific places related to the presence of the gods, such as places where rituals were performed, are often imbued with greater Mana and considered sacred (tapu, which also means forbidden).
Mana Embodied - The Art of Polynesian Tattooing
Polynesian tattoos are not mere decorations; they are direct vehicles for embodying, displaying, and protecting Mana.
By tattooing genealogical patterns, achievements, and protective symbols onto the skin, the tattoo serves to strengthen the recipient's personal Mana and to provide protection against negative spiritual forces.
Including natural elements in a tattoo favors the connection with nature and its Mana, enhancing its power and efficacy.
Keep this in mind when you get a Polynesian tattoo: make sure it tells your own story if you want it to increase your Mana, and also make sure it is properly designed to allow the flow of Mana instead of blocking it
because that will imbue your tattoo with power, which will reflect on your whole life as well.
