Sharks are regarded as fearless hunters, powerful creatures that dominate the oceans. Based on their characteristics and on myths and legends, sharks (and therefore the shark teeth motifs used to represent them) are symbolic of strength, guile, protection and guidance.
What does the shark symbolize in Polynesian culture?
Sharks are one of the favourite forms that aumakua choose to appear to man. They represent protection, guidance and strength as well as fierocity however, they are also symbols of adaptability in many cultures. This is an example of simplified shark teeth.
What does a Polynesian shark tattoo mean?
protection
In particular, traditional shark tattoos have been representing protection, courage, guidance, etc. Shark tattoos represented protection against enemies in Polynesian cultures. They also represented protection for seamen and the dangers of the deep waters.
What Polynesian tattoos are sacred?
In Maori culture, the facial tattoo (moko) was most significant, as the head is considered the most sacred part of the body. Only Maori with noted social status were allowed to don such tattoos, which were given to them by men called tohunga tā moko (“tattoo specialists”).
What is the Polynesian symbol for family?
The turtle
The turtle is another symbol used to represent family, possibly because they cross the whole ocean to go back to the beach where they were born in order to lay their eggs there.
What does the shark tooth symbolize?
Wearing a shark tooth at sea is believed to protect you
According to a Hawaiian legend a young Hawaiian warrior once battled a sea god, he won the battle and when he emerged from the sea he was wearing a shark tooth necklace that has become the symbol of strength and protection.
What does a shark mean to Hawaiians?
To Hawaiians, mano (Sharks) are considered ʻaumakua (family or personal gods.) Often, a departed ancestor took the form of a shark after death and appeared in dreams to living relatives.
Who is the Hawaiian god of sharks?
Kāmohoaliʻi
In Hawaiian religion, Kamohoaliʻi is a shark god and a brother of Kāne Milohaʻi, Pele, Kapo, Nāmaka, and Hiʻiaka. Kamohoaliʻi swam in the area around the islands of Maui and Kahoolawe.
What do Polynesian triangles mean?
The Polynesian Triangle is a region of the Pacific Ocean with three island groups at its corners: Hawai’i, Easter Island (Rapa Nui) and New Zealand (Aotearoa). It is often used as a simple way to define Polynesia.
Why are Polynesian tattoos important?
Tattoos Had A Deeper Significance
People in Polynesia didn’t believe that tattoos were merely art or decoration. They believed that a tattoo could display a person’s spiritual power, which they referred to as mana. This is why tattoos were so common in Polynesian culture, and why they are still common today.
How painful is a Polynesian tattoo?
Tattoos Were Painful – Even Deadly
Not only did these tattoos take a long time to complete, but they were also extremely painful. Depending on the part of the body, the process could be excruciating. It took a lot of courage and endurance and required recuperation between sessions.
What are the different types of Polynesian tattoos?
Among the 5 main Polynesian tattoo styles, Maori, Samoan, Marquesan and Hawaiian are the most traditional ones, while the Tahitian tattoo style has evolved from them to shape a new, more figurative style that often includes realistic elements to achieve the ‘wow’ factor that contributed to their present popularity.
Why do Samoans tattoo their face?
The tattoo and designs of the Samoa islands represents community, power, status, respect, honor, and is a mark of pride that are only to be worn by Samoans. For those who have no cultural influence or heritage background it is an act of disrespect to display their symbols and designs.
How much does a Polynesian tattoo cost?
The starting price for a regular tattoo is approximately 15,000xpf (about $150 USD). On average, I would say people spend about $350-500 USD for a regular tattoo. Traditional Polynesian Tattoo Prices: The starting price for a traditional tattoo is 60,000xpf (about $600 USD).
What does the Sun mean in Polynesian tattoo?
Tattooing has always been a great part of the Polynesian culture and with its tribes including samoan tattooing. The Polynesian Sun represents grandeur within the culture, highlighting things such as riches, brilliance and leadership. Again the rising sun represents a rebirth similar to other cultures.
What is the Hawaiian symbol for friendship?
The shaka sign represents the embodiment of “island style.” It conveys friendship, understanding, compassion, and solidarity among the various ethnic cultures that reside within Hawaii. The shaka sign was adopted from local Hawaiian culture by visiting surfers in the 1960s, and its use has spread around the world.
What does a black shark tooth mean?
fossilized
Most of the time, shark teeth that you find on the beach are black because they’re fossilized. In the process of fossilization, the minerals that are naturally in shark teeth are replaced by other minerals that were in the rock or soil where the tooth was buried.
What do triangles mean in Hawaiian tattoos?
When triangles are assorted this way they represent the spear. The spear is significant in ancient Hawaii because it represents both life and death. A spear represents life in that it is used to hunt, both on land and in the sea. Food from hunting provides sustenance.
What does a white shark tooth mean?
Ground Water: If a fossilized shark tooth is in sediment has ground water running through, the water will leach the minerals back out of the fossil and cause color changes, making the colors lighter. Sometimes only part of the fossil is leached. In some cases, a fossil can look white again, like a modern tooth.
How do you say shark in Polynesian?
ʻai ā manō, hula manō, niuhi, pua 1. Manō iʻa, ordinary shark. Manō hae, fierce shark or fighter.
Who is the goddess of sharks?
Ka’ahupahau
Ka’ahupahau: A shark goddess that was born a human. After being transformed into a shark god, she dedicated her life to protecting people from shark attacks.