At Hart and Huntington Orlando we’re passionate about all things related to our craft. One of H&H Orlando’s own artists, Jeremie, brought us back to our roots by tattooing a Maori tribal inspired piece and we thought this would be the perfect opportunity to share those photos as well as some interesting facts about Maori tribal tattoos.
The ancient art form of Maori tribal tattooing originated with Eastern Polynesian populations. It was originally performed with a bone chisel dipped into pigments.
These populations call such tribal designs 'moko'. Moko are heavy with symbolic meaning, just as most tattoos are, but originated by identifying individuals by characteristics such as:
- Tribe, wherein each tribe had its own unique design
- Rank, located in the center of the forehead
- Lineage, wherein one side of the face was reserved for each parent's histories
- Profession, worked into the cheek area
Moko could be obtained to mark rites of passage as well, and as such became symbolic of power, virility, and wisdom - which is how many people beyond the Maori culture perceive of these tribal designs and have integrated them into mainstream tattoo art.
While most contemporary tattoos express individuality, moko were used primarily to express a person's connections and relations to others, both within and beyond their tribe. Often the act of being tattooed included ceremonial acts such as abstaining from sexual activity until healing was complete and forgoing solid foods.
Here at H&H Orlando we have no intention of standing between you and your jollies, but we will really dig into what each of our customers is looking to express before doing any permanent work. Like cultural moko artists, we do not tattoo lightly and strive to work with anyone who comes in to give them something specifically appropriate to who they are and what they want to say with their skin.
If you have something meaningful you wish to express through a tattoo here in Orlando, whether it be traditional Maori tribal tattoos, something new you've designed, or an idea you'd like to consult with a tattoo artist about, Hart and Huntington Orlando is here to give you a personal, safe, and professional experience. Give us a call to schedule an appointment or feel free to stop by to get a feel for our uniquely creative atmosphere!
