in Polynesia in the 1700's

Polynesia was several islands in the central and southern Pacific Ocean. They used share a standard language, culture and history including this old tradition of tattooing. They were good sailors and used stars to calculate enough time at night. Polynesian tattoos were considered honourable and the first tattoo a person got in Polynesia marked the rite of passage from boyhood to manhood. Since Polynesians weren't big on writing, they handed down this art through generations as an alternate record of these culture and tradition. Tattoos in Polynesia also depicted social status in society and genealogy as well.

Once the Christian missionaries arrived in Polynesia in the 1700's, they strictly banned the art of tattooing. But because the 1980's Polynesians revived the art as they take much pride in their rich culture and heritage and for them tattooing is really a long standing tradition, additionally they started reviving many of these other lost arts. The Polynesian men and women got their buttocks and back of these thighs inked in thin black lines that represented different figures to them. The ladies also dyed their loins and buttocks blue in colour. Tattooing was just performed by shamans who were old and experienced in this art, but no else was allowed to accomplish so.

Traditional Polynesian tattoos depicted living on the island, the island in question, the person's history, social status, work and activities. Some tattoos were drawn for protection purposes, and others represented their ancestors, shamans and chiefs along with gods. The more tattoos a person got, the more power, prestige and strength he or she was believed to have. Elaborate tattoos were limited to chiefs and warriors. If someone had no tattoos see your face was looked down upon and not worth interacting with.

The very first tattoo a lady received was at the age of twelve on her right hand, only then was she allowed to cook and prepare the dead. Women usually got less elaborate tattoos than men and were usually inked onto their arms, hands, feet, lips and chin, a chief's wife was allowed to obtain a tattoo on her leg as well. Some of the most popular Polynesian tattoo designs were dolphins, sharks, their god Tiki, turtles, etc. A few of the popular designs of Polynesian tattoos and the meanings associated together are as follows:

Gecko - It had been believed to keep supernatural powers and was feared by all Polynesians, it was thought to bring illness, misfortune and omen with it.

Sharks - It had been believed to create on protection against enemies, mostly fishermen and warriors got it.

Shells - It had been believed to create on prosperity and wealth.

Turtles - It had been believed to create on a wholesome endurance and fertility.

the Koi is more than just a fish with beautiful colors

Koi Fish Tattoo - These kind of fish are a big surprise to the West the main globe. The phrase "Koi", is Japanese for carp. Many ancient myths surround these awesome fish from the Asian hemisphere. Usually called colorful fish which can be often found in public ponds, the colors included here are: white, yellow, gold, and orange. There has been known beautiful specimens that have fetched prices in the half-million dollar vary from private collectors across the world. However, the Koi is more than just a fish with beautiful colors, it is also one of the most used and eye-catching Japanese tattoo symbols around. Even though Koi is Chinese in origin, the Koi is celebrated in Japan a lot more than ever to this day.

It's said to climb waterfalls in a brave and honorable manner. Now, if it happens to have caught, it is said so it stays idle on the cutting board awaiting the slice of the knife with no shake, similar to a samurai (warrior) facing his doom from a sword.

This idea dates back again to ancient times in China, the place where a certain legend explains how any Koi that won the battle in climbing to the the top of falls (called Dragon Gate) would turn into a dragon. Supporting this legend, after that it became a symbol of aspiration and advancement world-wide. Eventually, the Koi came into existence associated with so many masculine and positive qualities so it was designated for the annual Boys'Day Festival in Japan where to this day, colorful Koi flags are displayed for each son in the family.