Marquesan warrior with ornate tattoos and massive U U war club. Circa 1840.
Illustration from "Die Marquesaner und Ihre Kunst Primitiv Sudseeordanmentik I
Tatauierung" --by Karl Von Den Steinen, Berlin 1925.
Tattooing
Kristopher Torres
Body modification and ornamentation plays a role in many
cultures the world over. It has been used in rites of passage, in the calling of
spirits, and to enhance beauty. The adornment of the body takes many forms. It
can be as moderate as body painting, hair styling, tattooing, and piercing.
Body modification can also be as extreme as scarification, finger
amputation and genital mutilation. The diversity of each culture's customs
regarding body modification and the symbolism found therein reveals much about
the people's philosophy and societal standards.
The Polynesian society utilizes the procedure of
tattooing to, among other things, differentiate individuals with regards to
social stature. The more prominent
members of society were adorned with tattoos from head to toe.
For a more thorough explanation of the ceremonies and stories behind
specific tattoos and for visual representations of these works of art, peruse
over the list of links included below.
Marquesan warrior with ornate
tattoos and massive U U war club. Circa 1840.
Illustration from "Die Marquesaner und Ihre Kunst Primitiv
Sudseeordanmentik I
Tatauierung" --by Karl Von Den Steinen, Berlin 1925.
Marquesan man of rank with exquisitely detailed tattoos. Circa 1840.
Illustration from "Die Marquesaner und Ihre Kunst Primitiv
Sudseeordanmentik I
Tatauierung"
--by Karl Von Den Steinen, Berlin 1925.
Web Resources for Polynesian Tattooing
Into You - Archaeology of Tattooing
Body Art - Hawaiian and Polynesian tattooing
http://www.waycool.on.ca/news/MOKO.htm
http://www.tribalsite.com/articles/tatoo.html