A Guide to Hawaiian Tribal Tattoos

When it comes to beautiful body art with depth, aesthetic appeal, and meaning, Hawaiian tribal tattoos take the cake. You can choose anything from intricate tribal symbols and art to pretty and colorful hibiscus flowers. Hawaii has a long, rich tradition of body art like other Polynesian islands.

Although Hawaiian tribal tattoos have been around for thousands of years, they experienced a renewed popularity in the 90s. When European settlers went to Hawaii in the early 19th century tattoo art slowly started to disappear but there was a revival in the 20th century as mentioned. Today, Hawaiian tribal tattoos mix symbols of popular culture with traditional symbols and art.

The Hawaiian tribal tattoo alone is not the only symbol of Hawaiian culture that has been popular. Other styles and fashions from Hawaii are very popular in mainstream culture, such as surf t-shirts, tiki torches, leis, and hula dance.

Roots of Tattoo Art in Hawaii

Hawaiian tribal tattoos go way back. There are tattoo gods in Hawaii and traditionally any time someone gets a tattoo they are supposed to go to a temple and pray. Hawaiian tribal tattoo art is known as Kakau and it has been practiced for centuries. It has always been a very important aspect of Hawaiian culture and it encompasses many purposes.

In many Polynesian cultures, tattoos are used for ceremonial purposes. On the other hand in Hawaii they are commonly used for personal identification. They are also considered talismans that can protect their recipients from evil powers and danger. A Hawaiian tribal tattoo can also be used to mourn the loss of a loved one or just for adornment.

Thankfully today there is technology that makes giving and getting tattoos a lot easier and far less painful. In traditional Hawaiian culture, tattoos were carved into the skin by using bird beaks and claws that were connected to a branch and hit with a hammer.

Some typical Hawaiian tribal tattoo designs include a tribal dragon tattoo, sea turtles, lizards, dolphins, tropical flowers, and arrows. Traditionally, Hawaiian males get tattoos on their legs, arms, face, and torso while females get tattoos on their hands, wrists, and tongue.

So there you have it. The history behind Hawaiian tribal tattoos is a fascinating one and sharing in that heritage by getting a meaningful Hawaiian tattoo can be a fulfilling experience. Hawaiian tattoo designs are beautiful and rich in meaning. If you feel connected to Hawaii's history or simply enjoy the way Hawaiian tribal art looks, try finding an artist that can help you come up with a design that is perfect for you.