LEE: Hawaiian Tattooing''Style''

Tattoo’s are an integral part of Polynesian culture, and Hawaiian culture is no exception In regards to the importance of tattoos.

The process of tattooing was seen as an elaborate ritual that had to be respected.

When compared to today’s methods of tattooing old style Hawaiian methods seem primitive and dangerous. Using tools such as bird beaks, claws and fish bones the process was often painful and brought with it, a high risk of infection.

The sharp tool was dipped in a dye (made from burnt seed pods and sugarcane juice giving the dye a black inky look) and run over the body while being gently hit by a stick causing it to pierce the skin and depositing the dye under the skin.

The risk of getting a serious infection was usually dismissed as getting the tattoo was a very important part of the culture.

Unlike today where tattoos are more of a lifestyle decision, traditional Hawaiian tattoos on a mans body were used as signs of achievements or status. While women usually only had tattoos on places like hands, arms, feet, ears, tongue etc.

The design of Hawaiian tattoos traditionally were usually geometric is design with use of curved lines, circles and “pointy” like designs. This style of tattooing has heavily influenced modern tattooing with a popular style currently known as “tribal” that is quite commonly seen of football players and fitness buffs.

After European influences began the tattooing moved from abstract designs and began a more pictorial approach. Tattooing animals and objects onto themselves.

Hunk in Bed ''Tattoo style''

Grunt''Style Tattoo''

FDNY''Tattoo Style''

Tattoo Art ''Style''

Antonio Sabato Jr ''Tattoo art''

Styles Tattoo

Chest Tatto

Body Art, ''Style''

Wayne Rooney Tattoo''Style''

Feminine Tattoos

This was taken from the Changes Two album cover, to grace John Dockrell’s thigh. Why ? Well, John is the country’s top dealer, so thought it was a good gimmick to help his sales pitch ! It certainly caught our attention. Down one corridor, we encountered Siouxsie, with the most incredible vibrant full back piece, who handed us a card, presenting herself and the artist.

Towel

Asian Hunk

Weigh In

Working Man

On his to Shower

Lift Shirt

Tree Arm tribal tattoo

Tree Arm Tribal Tattoo

Tree Arm tribal tattoo

Tree Arm Tribal Tattoo

Evil Twin Full Back Tattoo

Evil Twin Full Back Tattoo

Arm Tattoo Gallery Ideas

Arm Tattoo Ideas

Fish Arm Tattoo

Fish Arm Tattoo

Birth Arm Tattoo

Birth Arm Tattoo

Wolf Fight Tattoo

Wolf Fight Tattoo

Chest Tribal Tattoo

Chest Tribal Tattoo

Full Back Tattoo

Full Back Tattoo Ideas

Angel Tattoos

Angel Tattoos

Japanese Back Tattoo for women

Japanese Back Tattoo for women