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This is what i will get and why, read for story and meaning
I have always loved the tribal art, but i hold a deep love and respect for the Maori tattoos. They are a right of passage, and with all that has happened in my life and how i am recovering, i want to get one that expresses who i am and who i have it in me to become and do. I will not call it a Maori tattoo however, unless it is done by one in the traditional fashion by a Maori... and even then only if they say i can call it that. For now its just in the style of a Maori tattoo.
I am still drawing some ideas out, and I am always open for ideas.
Location
First and foremost, the location of the tattoo to me is important. It is going to be done in stages because i live a busy life and have little spare time. Looking at the picture, remove the tattoos below the pectorals, meaning no abdomen tattoos. Then look at the arm and remove the sleeve, I do not want it to go below the armpit... for now. Then link the Pectoral, shoulder, and arm part and that is where my tattoo will be located.
Story/Background of why I want one
I have been told to by so many people not to get one, but i find tattoos to hold great meaning when they are thought out. I do not want a "I <3 Mom" tattoo or a girls name only to be crossed out. In the past, people wore tattoos and were respected, now they are viewed with a piercing glance of hate. Haters gona hate! But I have been thinking about who I am. I fell into a manic depression and lost the will to do much of anything. I can feel happiness returning.
Meaning of my tattoo
Going by location, the piece close to my chest represents the things i hold closest to my heart. I want three curves coming from my heart, each meaning something. One stands for Family, for without the family i would not be here. I was adopted and they chose me over hundreds of other children, they were the first to have my heart. My friends will represent the second curve from my heart. The last curve will stand for promises. I am a man built upon promises. I take great care in what I say. I will never promise what i cannot deliver, and what I do promise comes from the heart and I will not stop until it is fulfilled!
And then it will go to my shoulder. The shoulder will represent my personality. I have always been there for those special in my life. My shoulder has been leaned on and cried on by more than one person in my life. I will support with all who I am and have it in me to be. I will forever be there for people when they need me most. I will hold their problems and fears upon my shoulders to relieve their suffering. I will be strong for everyone i care for in my life!
The tattoo will then go down my arm, possibly later in life I will have more added to the arm to link it to my hands. This represent that with my arms, i will hold those precious to me and guard them with my life. I have fiercely loyal to them and will give my life for them. My arms also represent the kindness i have in me. I will hold, comfort, and care for those in my life until the end of my life. And finally this represents the hard work i have done and will always be willing to do. With these arms, I will do whatever it takes to whatever is needed of me by my family. With these arms i will protect those who lean and cry on my shoulder and hold the weight of their pain and suffering. With these arms i will fight off those who try to hurt those precious to me, whether it be my family or my best friends! With these arms the promises will be fulfilled!
From my heart to my hand, all that is within me will be worn my me with pride. I am who I am, and i will always be there for those who need me.
When to get a tattoo
I have no clue where to when to go. My birthday is in 8 days, December 31st. But that is too quick. I also have to get the money for it which will take a month or two.
I also am still planning on what i want it to look like. I have a few ideas, but i cant pull them all together. I am asking all my my watchers to give me an idea. Give me something that i can use. You all have supported me through my years here on FA and through my depression and Reincarnation. I will post all stages of my tattoo design, and i will post each stage immediately once it is completed! Let me know
I am still drawing some ideas out, and I am always open for ideas.
Location
First and foremost, the location of the tattoo to me is important. It is going to be done in stages because i live a busy life and have little spare time. Looking at the picture, remove the tattoos below the pectorals, meaning no abdomen tattoos. Then look at the arm and remove the sleeve, I do not want it to go below the armpit... for now. Then link the Pectoral, shoulder, and arm part and that is where my tattoo will be located.
Story/Background of why I want one
I have been told to by so many people not to get one, but i find tattoos to hold great meaning when they are thought out. I do not want a "I <3 Mom" tattoo or a girls name only to be crossed out. In the past, people wore tattoos and were respected, now they are viewed with a piercing glance of hate. Haters gona hate! But I have been thinking about who I am. I fell into a manic depression and lost the will to do much of anything. I can feel happiness returning.
Meaning of my tattoo
Going by location, the piece close to my chest represents the things i hold closest to my heart. I want three curves coming from my heart, each meaning something. One stands for Family, for without the family i would not be here. I was adopted and they chose me over hundreds of other children, they were the first to have my heart. My friends will represent the second curve from my heart. The last curve will stand for promises. I am a man built upon promises. I take great care in what I say. I will never promise what i cannot deliver, and what I do promise comes from the heart and I will not stop until it is fulfilled!
And then it will go to my shoulder. The shoulder will represent my personality. I have always been there for those special in my life. My shoulder has been leaned on and cried on by more than one person in my life. I will support with all who I am and have it in me to be. I will forever be there for people when they need me most. I will hold their problems and fears upon my shoulders to relieve their suffering. I will be strong for everyone i care for in my life!
The tattoo will then go down my arm, possibly later in life I will have more added to the arm to link it to my hands. This represent that with my arms, i will hold those precious to me and guard them with my life. I have fiercely loyal to them and will give my life for them. My arms also represent the kindness i have in me. I will hold, comfort, and care for those in my life until the end of my life. And finally this represents the hard work i have done and will always be willing to do. With these arms, I will do whatever it takes to whatever is needed of me by my family. With these arms i will protect those who lean and cry on my shoulder and hold the weight of their pain and suffering. With these arms i will fight off those who try to hurt those precious to me, whether it be my family or my best friends! With these arms the promises will be fulfilled!
From my heart to my hand, all that is within me will be worn my me with pride. I am who I am, and i will always be there for those who need me.
When to get a tattoo
I have no clue where to when to go. My birthday is in 8 days, December 31st. But that is too quick. I also have to get the money for it which will take a month or two.
I also am still planning on what i want it to look like. I have a few ideas, but i cant pull them all together. I am asking all my my watchers to give me an idea. Give me something that i can use. You all have supported me through my years here on FA and through my depression and Reincarnation. I will post all stages of my tattoo design, and i will post each stage immediately once it is completed! Let me know
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I imagine that there are some Maori tattooists who have created tattoos specifically for white folks who want tattoos - given the demand for them - but you might want to read this if you haven't already: http://tattoo.about.com/cs/articles.....ori_tamoko.htm
What I meant by 'not a real maori tattoo' was that any tattoo you had done would be more of a facsimile than anything else, as you'd be lacking the history that makes a Maori tattoo significant purely by virtue of not being a Maori yourself. I honestly don't know how it goes with people wanting maori tattoos in New Zealand - they might all refuse, for all I know. It can be a touchy subject though, so there's that to be aware of.
What I meant by 'not a real maori tattoo' was that any tattoo you had done would be more of a facsimile than anything else, as you'd be lacking the history that makes a Maori tattoo significant purely by virtue of not being a Maori yourself. I honestly don't know how it goes with people wanting maori tattoos in New Zealand - they might all refuse, for all I know. It can be a touchy subject though, so there's that to be aware of.
i understand completely! I have no real history myself. I am white but i know nothing of my parents geneology, and i was adopted into a Japanese family... so i do not really belong anywhere. I will consult a tattooist and dicuss this matter however, i do not wish to steal from those who hold it sacred. No two people should have the same tattoo. And from what i have read and talked ti so far have told me the Maori accept sincerity, but they will not stand for imitation and thieving. If it is not done by a Maori in the Maori traditional method, then it is not a Maori tattoo. So i am not going to call it one unless it is done that way.
I have been planning for a month now, lots of phone calls and discussions. :)
I have been planning for a month now, lots of phone calls and discussions. :)
Yeah, I noticed there was a bit in the article I linked about 'Kirituhi,' which seems your best bet - aesthetically Maori, without offending anyone by using Ta Moko symbology .
I always find the subject of Maori tattooing interesting, which is odd because my Great-Grandmother was full-blooded Maori (had the facial tattoos and all, or so I've been told) yet I am possibly the whitest person in existence. I am pretty much the point at which the Maori has been bred out of my bloodline - so there's no real connection there. More of a curiosity thing, I guess.
The fact that you respect the culture and traditions shows that it actually does matter to you, which says a lot more than most people looking for tribal tattoos (usually the people looking for 'the sick ones with all the curves and shit you know') so I would say go for it - there's a website or two with traditional maori tattooists who offer Kirituhi tattoos, which seems pretty much exactly what you're after.
I mainly commented just to make sure you were aware - it'd be pretty horrible to do something so permanent out of a sense of respect, only to find out it can cause massive offense. I now consider my duty to my drunken maori ancestors fulfilled :)
I always find the subject of Maori tattooing interesting, which is odd because my Great-Grandmother was full-blooded Maori (had the facial tattoos and all, or so I've been told) yet I am possibly the whitest person in existence. I am pretty much the point at which the Maori has been bred out of my bloodline - so there's no real connection there. More of a curiosity thing, I guess.
The fact that you respect the culture and traditions shows that it actually does matter to you, which says a lot more than most people looking for tribal tattoos (usually the people looking for 'the sick ones with all the curves and shit you know') so I would say go for it - there's a website or two with traditional maori tattooists who offer Kirituhi tattoos, which seems pretty much exactly what you're after.
I mainly commented just to make sure you were aware - it'd be pretty horrible to do something so permanent out of a sense of respect, only to find out it can cause massive offense. I now consider my duty to my drunken maori ancestors fulfilled :)
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