Flowing beautiful patterns can often be seen tattooed on someones face or body. These are usually traditional Maori tattoo designs. These expressions of spirituality and social status have been applied to the skin for thousands of years. Here is what you need to know about them.
Although the practice of permanently marking the skin with pigment can be found all over the world, Maori designs are very different than any others. This is because the culture evolved in isolation after arriving in New Zealand before 1300 CE. Their religion also evolved without outside influences. Tattooing is actually a major component of the religious and social life of the Maori people.
Although we refer to the process as tattooing, the proper term for this particular method is ta moko. Finished pieces are referred to as moko. They play a huge part in the spiritual life of the people and it was believed that ta moko was one of two spiritual gifts given to the Maori people by a Lord of the Underworld.
The tattoos are traditionally applied to the skin using chisels. This is very different than modern practices which use a gun to apply ink under the skin. The use of a chisel is very painful and it takes much longer for someone's skin to heal when it has been applied using traditional methods. The process began when a person reached puberty and continued throughout their lives.
Modern tattoos use ink but traditional methods of applying patterns used pigments such as burnt Kauri gum or vegetable caterpillars that had been burnt. These created the soot that was used to mark the body's surface. It often took years to have the work completed. This was especially true in the case of patterns that would cover the entire head and face.
Although many people do not like the idea of having their head or face covered with lines and swirls, this is actually a sign of high status in traditional New Zealand culture. As well, an individual who had the majority of their skin's surface covered with patterns was also considered to have high social standing. This was in part due to the fact that the process was such a long and uncomfortable one.
Some people still travel to New Zealand to have the tattoos applied in the traditional way. Now, however, it is not uncommon to find Maori tattoo designs on individuals who have never been to the island. If you are interested in having these flowing, linear patterns applied, choosing a reliable artist and performing aftercare properly can be the key to ensuring your ink stays as beautiful as possible for as long as possible.
Although the practice of permanently marking the skin with pigment can be found all over the world, Maori designs are very different than any others. This is because the culture evolved in isolation after arriving in New Zealand before 1300 CE. Their religion also evolved without outside influences. Tattooing is actually a major component of the religious and social life of the Maori people.
Although we refer to the process as tattooing, the proper term for this particular method is ta moko. Finished pieces are referred to as moko. They play a huge part in the spiritual life of the people and it was believed that ta moko was one of two spiritual gifts given to the Maori people by a Lord of the Underworld.
The tattoos are traditionally applied to the skin using chisels. This is very different than modern practices which use a gun to apply ink under the skin. The use of a chisel is very painful and it takes much longer for someone's skin to heal when it has been applied using traditional methods. The process began when a person reached puberty and continued throughout their lives.
Modern tattoos use ink but traditional methods of applying patterns used pigments such as burnt Kauri gum or vegetable caterpillars that had been burnt. These created the soot that was used to mark the body's surface. It often took years to have the work completed. This was especially true in the case of patterns that would cover the entire head and face.
Although many people do not like the idea of having their head or face covered with lines and swirls, this is actually a sign of high status in traditional New Zealand culture. As well, an individual who had the majority of their skin's surface covered with patterns was also considered to have high social standing. This was in part due to the fact that the process was such a long and uncomfortable one.
Some people still travel to New Zealand to have the tattoos applied in the traditional way. Now, however, it is not uncommon to find Maori tattoo designs on individuals who have never been to the island. If you are interested in having these flowing, linear patterns applied, choosing a reliable artist and performing aftercare properly can be the key to ensuring your ink stays as beautiful as possible for as long as possible.
About the Author:
Tattoo art has not only the purpose of beautifying the person's image, but also has religious meaning. He linear and flowing designs of the Maori tattoo tell a great deal about the beliefs and culture of the people using it.
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