One of the most popular types of tattoos over the last two or three decades has been the tribal tattoo. Tribal tattoos cover a wide range of design styles and cultures, though, which includes Fijian tattoos, amongst others. Fijian tattoos are bold and meaningful, which is why so many people opt to get them, even those who live nowhere near Fiji.
In most cases, Fijian tattoos tell a story, as is the case with most other Polynesian tattoos. These stories can have meanings that are very personal in nature, or they could even be able to the wearer’s culture. If you are thinking about getting a Fijian tattoo, you will want to know exactly what you want your tattoo to say about you.
On this page, we are going to take a look at some of the most commonly used Fijian tattoos, their meanings, and some of the ways that you can get them designed.
Popular Fijian Tattoo Meanings
One very common symbol found in Fijian tattoos is the shark tooth. Shark teeth symbolize quite a few things in Polynesian cultures, including power, leadership, and protection. Some people will make the shark’s tooth the centerpiece of their designs, but in most cases, you will see multiple shark teeth surrounding another piece.
Spearheads are also very commonly seen in Fijian tattoos, and for good reason. Not only can they be very nice to look at when done correctly, they also hold significant meanings to their owners. It’s a good idea to include spearheads in your Fijian tattoo if you want to show that you are a brave person or if you want to get a symbol that shows that you have courage or you want to be courageous.
Another great Fijian tattoo symbol that plenty of people like to include in their designs is the sun. Obviously, plenty of cultures include the sun in a lot of their tattoos, but with Fijians, it represents striving for perfection. It also symbolizes rebirth, which is an excellent meaning to use if you are trying to turn your life around and keep it turned around.
One of the most popular animals in Fiji is the lizard. More specifically, the gecko is seen as extremely important and is added to a lot of Fijian tattoo designs. The gecko is said to have a direct connection to the afterlife, which is why it is a symbol of good luck and wisdom. You will sometimes see the gecko alone in these tattoos, such as when a person gets a large one crawling up their back or down their arm.
Other Fijian Tattoo Meanings
Considering where these designs came from, it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that a lot of Fijian tattoos have shells in them. What’s interesting about Fijian shell designs is that they all symbolize the same things regardless of what type of shells they are. Shells can represent peace, health, and fertility, among many other things.
Also unsurprising is the fact that plenty of people like to include the ocean in their Fijian tattoos. What’s interesting about Polynesian culture is that they not only see the ocean as a symbol of beauty and adventure, but they also see it as a symbol of death since they see it as the final resting place. That’s why the ocean is often included in Fijian tattoos to honor lost family members and friends.
Tiki tattoos are also quite popular in Fijian culture. These tattoos represent semi-gods, which themselves hold many different meanings. In most cases Tiki tattoos represent some type of protection, but it’s important to know the specific semi-god included in your design so you have a better understanding of what they represent. Unlike most of the other Fijian tattoos mentioned on this page, the Tiki is often by itself with no other symbols, though it’s not totally uncommon to see a Tiki inside of a larger Fijian design.
Fijian Tattoo Designs and Placement
Fijian tattoos are often made with bold black lines that make the designs really pop on the skin. They are also usually created in a way that makes them look like they were always on the owner’s skin. The style is definitely unique, but a lot of artists all over the world have learned how to make them since so many people have come into their shops looking to get one.
The one thing that many people don’t realize about Fijian tattoos is that they very rarely have any color in them. That’s great for a lot of people, but some might find that to be a deal breaker because they always wanted to get a colored tattoo. You certainly can add some color to these tattoos, but it could take away from the authentic Fijian look that a lot of people want.
In most cases, Fijian tattoos are people’s primary tats since they are usually pretty big. They work extremely well as sleeves, but they can also work as back tattoos, leg tats, or even as upper-arm designs. It really comes down to what you want to include in your design since you want to make sure that it is a perfect fit.
Is the Fijian Tattoo Right for You?
What’s really great about Fijian tattoos is that you can include a lot of different images into a single design, which is just one of the reasons why these tattoos have been so popular in recent decades. You can find one key symbol to include in your tattoo and then work to find a way to include other Fijian tattoos that will give outsiders a clearer understanding of who you are.
If you find that any of the Fijian tattoo meanings mentioned on this page work for you and you like the look of those types of designs, then you will want to find an artist who can make your tattoo look amazing on your skin.
If you find that you don’t like this style but you still want to use the meanings, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding another type of design that will also look great.