Although many people interchange the terms Tahitian tribal tattoos, with tribal Polynesian tattoos and other designs that are similar, there are actually differences between the traditional designs that come from different Polynesian tribes.
Polynesian tattoos come from a type of ancient art that has gained a lot of popularity with Tahitian tattoo designs, particularly Tahitian tribal tattoos. While these Tahitian tattoos are available in a lot of designs that appeal to a wide variety of people, the true tribal Polynesian tattoos were given with a procedure that was long and painful. Therefore, those Tahitian tattoo designs that are available today are reserved for the more modern and less painful method that most tattoo artists use.
The culture of the Polynesian Islands is very distinct and has developed over a long period of time. The inhabitants of the numerous islands came from the same origin, albeit an unknown one, before dispersing across the Pacific Ocean islands. That is the reason for the differences in the designs you will find in a tattoo. Polynesian is not in itself a style but a collection of the different tattoos used from all the different tribes.
Tahitian Polynesian tattoos are those that come from French Polynesia and were traditionally used to signify a high social rank. The only area not covered by the tattoo was the face, this practice extended to both sexes. In fact, women were tattooed two separate times in their lives, once as a little girl and the next when they were sexually developed. These Tahitian tattoos designs were used by a woman who wanted to attract the attention of a man, simply by raising her skirt to reveal the tattoos. Some of the heaviest Tahitian tribal tattoos were worn by the inhabitants of The Marquesa Islands.
While you wouldn't expect these traditions to carry on today, there are still some common practices that remain across nearly all the different Polynesian islands. Most are still enriched with the art of tattooing and they are very similar in their techniques. Although different reasons may have been the inspiration for a tattoo, Polynesian people also share common ground in this area. Sometimes tribal Polynesian tattoos were used to symbolize courage or social rank, but they might also be used to mark a rite of passage or to increase a man's sexual attractiveness.
Although these tattoos are all tribal in their creation, most people don't get Tahitian tribal tattoos because of their affiliation with the tribes of the Polynesian islands. For many, the Tahitian tattoo designs are a choice they make because of their attraction to the patterns. They still have the characteristics used by the Polynesian tribes from centuries ago.
When searching for a tattoo artist, it is important to find one who is very experienced in Tahitian tattoos designs so that you will get the quality of outcome that you want. These are some of the most highly detailed tattoo designs you will find and the outcome rests on the talent of the tattoo artist. You will also want to be careful in choosing a Tahitian tattoo that will fit with the part of the body that you want your tattoo placed on and discuss your choice with the tattoo artist before you get it done. With careful planning and choosing the right Tahitian tattoos designs, a skilled tattoo artist can provide you with a Tahitian tattoo that you will be proud of!
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