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Maori tattoo designs are enjoying a popular resurgence. This style was popular amongst a small tribe of people living in New Zealand. The design is easy to identify. The Maori people consider the tattoo a revered and sacred ritual. It is a symbol of transition. It is usually done to mark a landmark in a person’s life.
The Maori style is made up of complicated designs and patterns. Traditional Maori tattoos were most commonly placed on the face with very symmetrical and complicated patterns. One of the reasons that the New Zealand people considered this a passage or ritual is because of the pain endured by the person getting tattooed. Ironically, people without tattoos were considered beneath people with tattoos.
The way the ink is placed in the skin is by puncturing the skin with a chisel like tool or knife. This method of tattooing is much more painful than today’s methods. Some of the knives had smooth edges and some were serrated and the ink was applied into the incisions. The ink was also unique for this ritual. Black ink was made from burnt wood. Body color was caterpillar and vegetable matter.
Eventually modern methods came to replace these old traditional tribal rituals. Now the Maori design is often seen on the shoulder area instead of the face. Most Maori style tattoos are applied with modern style tattoo machines and regular tattoo ink pigments.
If the Maori style appeals to you, do some online research to narrow down your choice for design. Then visit a couple of reputable tattoo parlors to find an artist that has a passion and interest in Maori style tattooing. Some tattoo artists find intricate styles boring and prefer to stay away from this style. It is similar to Celtic design and is not enjoyable for some artists.
I think it’s an important step to find an artist that actually enjoys the Maori style. Some individuals are interested in the art form and have a respect for its origins. An artist that is enthusiastic about a style is likely to produce an exceptional piece of work.
