Hidden Meanings Behind Maori Tattoo Designs

The number one secret to why the west love maori tattoo designs

“Tatau” – this is the Tahitian word where the word “tattoo” is believed to come from. In the early 1769, Captain James Cook used the term “tattow” when he saw tattooing for the first time in Tahiti.

matching couple tattoos pictures

You should not have a maori tattoo design before understanding the mataora and niwareka.

Cheesy as it would sound, Maori mythology states that the great art of tattooing all began with a love story, yes, with an ordinary man and a princess –Mataora and Niwareka.

matching couples tattoos designs

However, Niwareka ran back to “Uetonga”, her father’s realm, when Mataora beat her one day.

Mataora followed his princess after the incident, while he was filled with guilt and heartbreak. Mataora soon arrive the realm of “Uetonga” after many trials and numerous obstacles, with his face paint dirty and messed. Unfortunately, because of his disheveled appearance, Mataora got taunted and mocked by Niwareka’s family. Apology acceptance was what Mataora asked Niwareka in his very humbled state. Taniko, the plaiting of cloak borders in many colors, was taught to Mataora as well, while Niwareka’s father offered to teach him the art of tattooing.

Mataora and Niwareka thus returned together to the human world, bringing with them the arts of ta moko and taniko.

Ta, the process. Moko, the product.

Basing on archaeological evidence, tattooing arrived to New Zealand from Eastern Polynesia.

Tattooing bone chisels were found in archaeological sites of different ages in New Zealand and some early Eastern Polynesian sites.The Maori practiced tattooing for sure, but as per the Moriori people, there are no evidences.

certain Maori can still trace their families using these tattoos some chiefs can look at a Maori tattoo design, read it like a book, they do this by feeling the texture, looking at the design and the precision that went into getting the tattoo and will be able to trace back some of these Maori family trees. The are designs that date back over a 2,000 year period in maori history, these chiefs have the skill and ability by looking at the design would be able to tell how far this tattoo dates back to or this particular design origins What most people don’t realise when looking at a design is that they tell a story, though they look like a swirl or twirl to us, they actually tell a full story when you know how to read these tattoos.

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