Maori Tattoo Design from the story of Te Ora O Maui – Maori for The Birth and Life of Maui

1        Maui Mua – brother (Maori for ‘The Firstborn’)
2        Maui Pai – brother (Maori for ‘Good Maui’)
3        Maui Waho – brother (Maori for ‘Maui Who Was Born Outside’)
4        Maui Roto – brother (Maori for ‘Maui Who Was Born Inside’)
5        Mauitikitiki – a Taranga – Maori for “Maui in the topknot of Taranga”
6        Tangaroa – Maori for “God of the sea”
7        Tamanuitera – Maori for “the sun”
8        Ika – Fish – Aotearoa , Te Ika A Maui
9        Mahuikia – Maori for “God of fire”
10    Hine nuitepo – Maori for “Maiden of darkness”

Maui was the last born of five boys.  When he was born his mother thought he was stillborn so she cut off her topknot, wrapped him in it and threw him out to sea.

He eventually washed up on the shore and was found by a Tohanga who brought Maui up and taught him many things; like how to live off the resources of the land and the transformation into birds.

Maui learnt these techniques very quickly and became an expert at everything he learned, particularly navigation. Maui achieved many great accomplishments in his lifetime:

• Slowing down Tama Nuitera – giving us longer  days
• Obtaining fire from Mahuika (Maori for “God of fire”)
• He almost obtained immortality for all mankind from Hine Nuitepo (Maori for  “Maiden of the great darkness/death”)

This Maori tattoo design represents Maui fishing up / discovering Aotearoa (Maori for “New Zealand”) Te Ika a Maui (Maori for “North Island”).

Maori Tattoo Design from the story of Te Timatanga – Maori for “The Beginning”

1 Ranginui- Maori for “Sky Father”
2 Papatuanuku– Maori for “Earth Mother”
3 Tane Mahuta – Maori for “God of the forest and everything in it”
4 Ruaumoko – Maori for “God of earthquakes”
5 Tawhirmatea– Maori for “God of Winds”
6 Tangaroa – Maori for “God of Sea”
7 Hamiatiketike – Maori for “God of uncultivated foods”
8 Rongomatane – Maori for “God of peace”

In the beginning there was Rangi and Papa and they had many children. As the children grew older they needed more room to move.
One day, Tumatauenga decided he wanted to part his parents, this would allow them to have light and also they could move around freely. All of the Gods/brothers tried to part their parents, with the exception of Ruaumoko who was a baby in his mother’s womb together with Tawhirimatea, who opposed the idea. Firstly, Tumatauenga tried & failed and finally it came to Tanemahuta who was successful.
Tawhirimatea who opposed went to live with his father and he periodically punishes his brothers with storms. In addition, there was Ruamoko who still resides with his mother and from time to time he also punishes Tane with his earthquakes.

Maori Tattoo Design from the story of Nga Hau E Wha – Maori for “The Four Winds”

1           Tawhirimatea – Maori for “God of the winds”
2           Tangaroa– Maori for “God of the sea”
3           Tamanui Te Ra – Maori for “The sun”
4           Aotearoa– Maori for “New Zealand”
5           Koru Maori – Maori for “Continuation of all things”
6           Heimatau – Maori for “Fish hook – Strength – prosperity”

This tattoo design is a representation of the four corners of the Earth, Nga Hau E Wha – the four winds.

As you can see, there is a strong presence of Tawhirimatea and Tangaroa in this Maori tattoo design.

These two “Atua” (Maori for “Gods”) have the power to destroy anything in their path and have done so on numerous occasions. No matter what your beliefs in life may be, this still applies to all mankind. It’s all about respecting what God has given us, regardless of how big or small you are.

“Aotearoa” (Maori for “New Zealand”) is a place for all people of all races and creeds.  Tamanuitera represents new growth/warmth, which is what Aotearoa is about.  Hei Matua is strength and prosperity in whatever it is you desire to do and the Koru is a continuation of all of these things. Remember no matter how great or small you are treat all people and things as being equal, because if you don’t – NgaAtua – the Gods will be watching!

Maori Tattoo Design from the story of life Pikorua – Maori for Growth and the Joining Together of Two Different Things (i.e.  The Earth & The Sea)

1. Tama nuite Ra– Maori for “The sun”
2. Papatuanuku – Maori for “Earth mother”
3. Papatuanuku – Maori for “Earth mother”
4. Tangaroa – Maori for “God of the sea”
5. Te Waipounamu /Green stone Waters
   • Te Waka A MauiMauis
   • Waka – South Island
6. Te Ika A Maui/Aotearoa- Maori for “Fish of maui / Land of the long white cloud/ North Island”
7. Koru – Maori for “New life”7        Rakau–Whakapapa–Maori for “Genealogy”

Some Iwi (tribes) believed it was Tangaroa and Papatuanuku who were together in the beginning. Tama nuite Ra represents warmth, growth and new life, this Maori tattoo design is a representation of life and the journey that it takes.

We came from mother earth and one day we go back to her. As the tattoo design depicts, all rivers eventually lead to the ocean.

So it is in life – we all take different paths and there are many different bends – but we all end up in the same place.

The koru represents the continuation of life and new growth.

Following is the story of Phil’s Angel Tattoo.

Jen 

Emailed us from Australia with a request to have us design a Phoenix Tattoo for her foot. She had attached a ‘typical’ Tribal style of Phoenix Image as an art reference and given our ‘aversion’ to more fad orientated Tattoo art styles – we searched our archives for a fuller, more stylised design picture. The end result was that of Zane constructing this Phoenix design piece with an aspect of ornamental flow. The Tattoo design was free-handed on and then applied to Jen’s foot.