Hawaiian Tribal Tattoos

Tattoos have always played an important role in the Western Polynesian culture and since Hawaiian culture is no different than any of the other Pacific Islands, tattoos also have an important part to play. In Hawaiian culture, tattoos have been practiced for thousands of years, where they were known as kakau in the native language. They have been done as a form of celebration, means of self expression, and also to denote membership to the tribe the person belongs to. The tools used to draw these tattoos were not the technological machines used these days, but were tools borrowed from nature. The most common tools used were bird beaks, claws, and fish bones. Initially, the designs used to make Hawaiian tribal tattoos were geometric and symmetrical designs, however, with the passage of time the pictorial forms, such as images of animals and birds, also became a part of Hawaiian tattoos.

Hawaiian Tribal Tattoos Meanings

The meanings attached to Hawaiian tribal tattoos have always been very significant. The tribal people attached a lot of significance to the tattoos, hence they were very particular about the tattoo designs. They got the tattoos made for various causes such as mourning, protection from the evil spirits, decoration or as a part of celebration or social status. Some people chose to get tattoos made for personal identification. The importance of the tattoos in Hawaiian culture can be gaged from the fact that the literal translation of the word for tattoo in Hawaiian means covering and indicates the hierarchy in the society.

When the tattoos were made on a man’s body, they were seen as a sign of status and importance. Hawaiian tribal tattoos for men are made on the legs, arms, face and torso, whereas women choose to get these tattoos made on the hands, wrists, feet, fingers, and calves. Facial tattooing was also common in the Hawaiian islands and tattoos can be found on the brow ridge, cheek, cheek bone as well as the chin. Click to read on Hawaiian tattoos for men.

Hawaiian Tribal Tattoo Designs

Hawaiian tribal tattoo designs often have hidden meanings, which are generally much deeper and personal. This is what sets these tattoos apart from their Pacific Island neighbors. Now let’s take a look at the Hawaiian tribal tattoo designs. You may want to read on Hawaiian tattoo designs.

Among Hawaiian tribal tattoos, flower designs are often incorporated. However, these flower tattoos may not appeal to everyone, as these designs may not particularly be feminine despite the floral components. The most popular and commonly used Hawaiian flower tattoo design is the hibiscus tattoo, in sync with the yellow hibiscus being the state flower of Hawaii. These flowers can be made in yellow, red, pink, white and purple colors. The other flower, which is also very common is the orchid, especially ghost orchid designs. Ghost orchids are very beautiful flowers and have rather peculiar features. Since orchids are an endangered species, the symbolic meaning of orchid tattoos is “rare beauty”. Although orchids are seen as Hawaiian tribal tattoos for girls, they are more commonly made on men.


Sea creatures also have their own place in Hawaiian tribal tattoos. Dolphins are very popular amongst all the creatures. They are said to be an expression of joy. Sea turtles also find a special place in the world of Hawaiian tattoos. Symbolism of fertility is attached to the sea turtles, but they all have specific meanings to the person they are on.

The lizard is another powerful tattoo design, which represents both fear and respect for the people of Hawaii island. The other prominent design is that of arrows and bows. Both arrows and bows have a special place in Hawaiian culture, as equipment used by the people to hunt. Read on Hawaiian tattoos for girls.

If you are proud of your Hawaiian heritage, then you can choose one of the several Hawaiian tribal tattoos. In case you have visited the Hawaii islands in recent times and would like to pay homage to the culture which has mesmerized you, can there be a better option than a tattoo?