Maori Tattoo Design

Art of tattooing by the Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand. The Maori tattoo designs, also called ''Moko'' are not originally fitted with needles but through cuts and scratches in the skin.

The tattoo has been around for thousands of years and is actually evolved with us to the hype that it has become today. In several ancient civilizations they already had all different forms of body decoration applied to the skin. This was often done as an expression of belief or status. Those days you had to actually earn your tattoo. A nice detail is that both in Asia and New Zealand and South America, tattoos were used, without knowledge of eachother. There are also diffrent methods used to apply them in diffrent parts of the world.

Today, Maori designs are very popular all over the world. This often leeds to the annoyance of the Maori themselves who see their culture denied and misunderstood. People place it on their skin but they don't know anything about the culture.

Previously you had to earn a traditional Maori design made by the tribal elders. It took months of preparation and there was extreme attention paid to the design.

Contrary to what you expect if you quickly look at the designs they're are all unique designs. All lines are carefully placed and they all have their meaning. The designs are made by the tribe elders who take their time to see if you're worthy to represent the tribe's signs. The code used in the designs tell a story about the owner, what the origin or rank is of the person that's wearing them.

I am an avid collector of various types of tattoos and found this style, if you can call it that, not that interesting. I thought it was just decoration, and I've never really studied the origin and meaning of Maori designs. Until now! Perhaps I will get one of my own soon.

The Maori tattoos were often placed in the face or places that are not yet accepted by the mainstream . Because nowadays it is hard to find work when you're face is covered with ink. Tattoos are well accepted, especially by the younger generation but professionally there is still a taboo. That is why I personally hate it to see that many young and promising people are tattooing their hands and neck. They make it hard for themselves to get a good job and provide for their family's.

Ta Moko is something you should study and explore before you decide to get a Maori tattoo design on your body. Let the design be created especially for you by a specialized artist so you have a unique piece on your body. And you show respect to the culture and the people that kept this tradition alive despite occupation by Europeans.