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Traditional Hawaiian Tattoos

Traditional Hawaiian Tattoos are uniquely tattooed. The method is called tatau. The Hawaiian version of a tattoo gun was a stick with sharp natural objects like bird beaks or fish bones affixed to it. The traditional Hawaiian tattoo artist would take

Tatau, Traditional Hawaiian Tattoo ProcedureTraditional Hawaiian Tattoos are uniquely tattooed. The method is called tatau. The Hawaiian version of a tattoo gun was a stick with sharp natural objects like bird beaks or fish bones affixed to it. The traditional Hawaiian tattoo artist would take their 'gun', dip it in naturally created dyes, and run it across the body of the tattoo recipient. As they did this, they would use a second tool, a simple stick, to gently tap the gun, in order to penetrate the skin and inject the dye into the recipient. Obviously, this kind of procedure was not only painful, but also dangerous, because of the possibility of infection and disease. You can see here in the image exactly how this was done.

The word for tattoo in Hawaiian is uhi. Recipients got a traditional Hawaiian tattoo for a variety of reasons. It could be a form of punishment for Hawaiian slaves, some Hawaiian women got tattoos as a mourning ritual, sometimes Hawaiian natives got a family or god tattoo for protection.

Traditional Hawaiian Tattoo Designs

Being as though these Hawaiian Tattoos were more naturally created, it shouldn't come as a surprise that the images and designs themselves were more natural in theme as well. Reeds, Hawaiian Flowers, Trees, animals, and basic patterns. Here are some examples:
Native Hawaiian Covered in Traditional Hawaiian Uhi Tattoos Traditional Style Hawaiian Tattoo with turtle and flowers Traditional Hawaiian Flower Tattoo Traditional Hawaiian Tattoo of Basic Patterns

Traditional Hawaiian Tattoo Placement

Maybe you won't get a Hawaiian tattoo via the traditional tatau method, but you may want to follow the conventions of where you get your traditional Hawaiian tattoo on your body. Typically, men get the tattoo placed on their arms, legs, torsos, and faces. Women were tattooed on their hands, fingers and even on their tongue. Not that everyone knows about this cultural nuance, but hey, now you do!



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