Tattoo is an art. In ancient times it was sacred. The popularity has continued to this day. Tattoo "Maori" - the property of the settlement of the same name in New Zealand. This tribe considered the head to be the most sacred part of the body. No wonder the face is the most popular place for tattoos of this kind.
By their appearance, tattoos are curved and spiral lines. The entire face covered with tattoos speaks of high status and power.
From history
In the Maori tribe, tattoos were a kind of rite of passage. The first of them was applied to a teenager and was completed in the process of life. The information on the wearable drawing told fellow tribesmen about the place of a person that he occupies in society. In another way, these tattoos were called "moko". They told everything about the person: clan, financial situation of the family, etc.
Maori tattoos were highly respected by the tribe. This is especially true for men. Only leaders, noble warriors and priests had the right to apply drawings all over the body.
Initially, the tattoo was applied only on the face, the rest of the body neededdeserve by their deeds or origins.
If a tribesman covered his body with tattoos without special right, he was executed.
Tattooed in unconventional ways. Without the use of needles. The main tools are knives and chisels of various shapes, which are made from the teeth and bones of large predatory fish.
The ink was made according to a strict recipe. The main components for creating pigmentation are natural substances. It could have been tree ash mixed with animal fat. The darkest pigment, created from the ashes, was kept for the face. Ink prepared according to other recipes was applied to less important parts of the body. All pigments were stored in decorated vessels called "Eye". These items became family heirlooms that were passed down from generation to generation.
About the tribe
The name of the Maori tribe is defined as "ordinary" or "normal". But if you look at its representatives, it is very difficult to call them as such.
Thanks to the carved intricate patterns on the skin, the Maori communicated with the Gods. The process itself was something like a sacrifice. Only the most courageous representatives could decide on this step.
Most painful tattoo
According to legend, before applying the Maori tattoo, the master must carefully examine the person's face. This allows you to make an individual picture.
There is no image catalog in the tribal culture. Those who want a real tattoo need to be brave, because. you will have to endure severe pain, which is an integral part of the ritual.
At the first stage, the master makes deep cuts in the skin, after which they are filled with ink.
Today, tattoos are applied to give an image a certain style or charm. Masters are already using modern methods of pricking, which are less painful. The toughest way you can try is to feel the authenticity of the Maori tattoo. Sketches can be seen on the photo.
What is a tattoo
Maori put secret meanings into the drawings. Depending on the location, each tattoo was divided into several parts. If a person was respected by fellow tribesmen, his face was completely painted.
- The pattern on the forehead said that the person is a warrior.
- Tattoos around the eyes showed marital status.
- Cheeks are a place that personifies the profession.
- The jaw and chin pointed to the class in which the tribesman was born.
- The right side of the face spoke of the pedigree of the mother, the left side of the father
Meaning of tattoos
All information about the Maori tattoo was very important for the tribesmen. "Moko" was a replacement for all modern documents.
Such tattoos allowed not only to identify a person, they had a certain ritual orientation.
The drawings on the body protected the members of the tribe from disease. And the soldiers, according to belief, were given strength of mind and helped in battle. For those who died, tattoos showed the way to the other world.
Women's faces were covered with drawings wrongdensely, like the representatives of the stronger sex. For the beautiful half, images near the lips, eyebrows and wings of the nose were of great importance.
While a man's tattoos showed a pedigree, the drawings on a woman spoke of her marital status and the number of children.
What is the difference between tattoos
"Maori", Polynesia, tattoo - these concepts are closely related. The drawings have always been clear thin lines with well-drawn fine details. All this formed into a chic pattern. Another important feature is the arrangement of the ornament in a spiral. The entire drawing unfolds around an invisible axis.
Only priests were involved in tattooing in the tribe, because it was assigned to a sacred act, which could not have happened without the clergy.
Today, one of the most popular ornaments is Maori tattoos. Sketches exist in large numbers. You can choose the one you like and stuff it on any part of the body, regardless of customs.
