Traditional Maori Fish Hook Tattoo

The fish hook symbol is said to represent prosperity and safe travel over water.

Traditional maori fish hook tattoo. Download the quick reference cheatsheet. Mātau in samoan and makau in hawaiian all refer to a hook usually a fish hook which was a very important asset for people living on such a rich ocean as the pacific one was. We take great pride in producing traditional maori tattoo art. The tattoo was highly revered and it spelled out the idea of a brave and fearless hunter.

The maori fish hook or hei matau tattoo is used to symbolize prosperity and surplus. The fish hook also represents strength determination and good health as well as providing safe journey over water. Fish were so plentiful to the maori that the simple ownership of a fish hook meant prosperity. Fish hook tattoo on the wrist tattooing is one of the traditions of maori they reckoned that people who wear tattoos should be inviolable.

Shop matau fish hook designs. Maori marquesan tahitian hook. The traditional maori tattoo practice is known as ta moko. Traditionally maori were very reliant on the bounty they caught from the sea to survive.

Thousands of new high quality pictures added every day. This beautiful design will look perfect on your thigh. These traditional facial tattoos involve the use of curved shapes and spiraling patterns. The hei matau or fish hook design is based on the trolling lures and fish hooks that were made from wood shell or bone and used by the ancestors of the maori who arrived on new zealand shores in what is known as the moahunter or colonisation period of settlement 1280 1500 ce.

It also represents courage determination and wealth. Maori use fish in many of their traditional food dishes. So this pattern on the wrist is worn by a human with an iron rod. It s a clever design because it incorporates both the fish and fish hook motif into one design.

Sea turtle travel longevity manta ray wisdom peace marquesan cross four elements harmony and shark teeth strength. The maori symbols or meaning or hei matau more commonly known as the fish hook symbolises prosperity. Worn around the neck the hei matau became a symbol of prosperity abundance good health power authori. Maori fish hook tattoo google search polynesiantattoosleg polynesian tribal tattoo in tahiti.

Since the head is believed to be the most sacred part of the body by the maori ta moko was most often done on the face. We have three main types of symbols all based on traditional maori taonga. It was believed to be a good luck for people who went out on voyages. Maori fish hook tattoo.