Design Story
This Māori styled half sleeve has a complex symbology, which wants to tell how the death of a dear one does not mean separation. The bond that makes this person dear to us, when strong, goes on in our life, under the protection of a new angel.
We used two sea turtles to represent family's affections: one remains, surrounded by koru, which indicate a new birth, life continuing beyond the individual, and the other one leaves for a voyage sustained by two manaia, Māori spiritual guardians, creatures that, having the head of a bird, the body of a man and the tail of a fish, represent the balance between air, earth and water.
The shark teeth on the bigger turtle shell symbolize strength for those who remain, and the stylized lizard represents a link with the spiritual world.
The tiki on the small turtle shell is a symbol of protection.
The two turtles are surrounded by a twist, which symbolizes eternal union.
From a request by Simone.
A curiosity: "manaia", literally, is the seahorse.
Community Comments
[TT: no time to unfortunately... but we published a book on polynesian designs, their elements and meanings: <a href="http://www.polynesian-tattoo-handbook.com" title="The guide to creating meaningful Polynesian tattoos">The Polynesian Tattoo Handbook</a>... check it out!]