Tattoo is an art. In ancient times, it was sacred. The popularity has remained to this day. Tattoo "Maori" - the property of the eponymous settlement of New Zealand. This tribe considered the most sacred part of the body to be the head. Unsurprisingly, the face is the most popular place for tattoos of this kind.
In appearance, tattoos are curved and spiral lines. The whole face covered with tattoos speaks of high status and power.
From the history
The Maori tribe tattoos were a kind of rite of passage. The first of them was applied to the teenager and was completed in the process of life. The information on the pectoral drawing told fellow tribesmen about the place of a person that he occupies in society. In another way, these tattoos were called "moko." They told everything about a person: gender, financial situation of the family, etc.
The Maori tattoos were highly respected by the tribe. This is especially true for men. Only leaders, noble warriors and priests had the right to apply drawings throughout their bodies.
Initially, tattoos were applied only to the face, the remaining parts of the body had to be earned by their exploits or origin.
If a fellow tribesman covered the body with tattoos without special right, he was executed.
Tattooed in unconventional ways. Without the use of needles. The main tools are various forms of knives and chisels, which are made of teeth and bones of large predatory fish.
Ink was made according to a strict recipe. The main components for creating pigmentation are natural substances. It could be the ashes of trees mixed with animal fat. The darkest pigment created from the ashes was stored for the face. Inks prepared according to other recipes were applied to less important parts of the body. All pigments were stored in decorated dishes called the Eye. These items became heirlooms that were passed down from generation to generation.
About the tribe
The name of the Maori tribe is defined as “ordinary” or “normal”. But if you look at its representatives, it is very difficult to call them such.
Thanks to the carved intricate patterns on the skin, the Maori communicated with the Gods. The process itself was something like a sacrifice. Only the most brave representatives could decide on this step.
The most painful tattoo
According to legend, before applying the Maori tattoo, the master must carefully examine the person’s face. This allows you to make an individual picture.
There is no catalog of images in tribal culture. Those who want a real tattoo need to be brave, because will have to endure severe pain, which is an integral part of the ritual.
At the first stage, the master makes deep cuts in the skin, after which they are filled with ink.
Today, tattoos are applied to give the image a certain style or charm. Masters already use modern pricking methods, which are less painful. The toughest way you can try to feel the authenticity of the Maori tattoo. Thumbnails can be seen in the photo.
What is a tattoo?
The Maori laid secret meanings in the drawings. Depending on the location, each tattoo was divided into several parts. If a man was respected by his fellow tribesmen, his face was completely painted.
- The drawing on the forehead said that man is a warrior.
- Tattoos around the eyes showed marital status.
- Cheeks - a place that personifies the profession.
- The jaw and chin pointed to the estate in which the tribe was born.
- The right side of the face spoke of the genealogy of the mother, the left - of the father
The meaning of tattoos
All information about the Maori tattoo was very important for the tribesmen. "Moko" was a replacement for all modern documents.
Such tattoos allowed not only to identify the person, they had a certain ritual orientation.
The drawings on the body protected the representatives of the tribe from disease. And the soldiers, according to the belief, were given strength of spirit and helped in the battle. For those who were dying, tattoos showed the way to the other world.
Women covered their faces with drawings not as thick as the representatives of the stronger sex. For the beautiful half, the images around the lips, eyebrows and wings of the nose were of great importance.
If the tattoos of a man showed a pedigree, the drawings on the woman spoke of her marital status and the number of children.
What is the difference between tattoos
"Maori", Polynesia, tattoo - these concepts are closely related. Drawings always consisted of clear, thin lines with well-drawn fine details. All this evolved into a chic pattern. Another important feature is the arrangement of the ornament in a spiral. The whole pattern rotates around an invisible axis.
Only priests practiced tattooing in the tribe, as it was attributed to sacred action, which could not have happened without worshipers.
Today, one of the most popular ornaments is the Maori tattoo. Sketches exist in large numbers. You can pick up your favorite and stuff it on any part of the body, regardless of customs.