Polynesian and Hawaiian tattoos seem to be all the rage these days, and the Tiki tattoo is one that many people choose to get. Tiki tattoos have a very distinctive look and they hold extremely important meanings to the people that get them. Below you will find information Tiki tattoos, including the meanings attached to them and some of the design styles that you can use if you choose to get one of these tattoos.
Tiki tattoos are symbols that represent what are called “semi-gods.” Tikis are human figures in the shape of a statue or some other type of carving and in tattoo form they are replicas of those classic creations. In most cases you will find that people want their Tiki tattoos to look as authentic as possible, but in other cases they will give them a Tiki look but will tweak the design to emphasize its meaning to them.
The key to choosing a Tiki tattoo is knowing something about some of the Polynesian gods that they represent. You have to remember that these designs aren’t just for looks; those who originally made them were doing so to honor these gods. That is one of the main reasons why Tiki tattoos are not for everyone. However, if you feel like one of the gods represents something important to you, then a Tiki tat might be perfect for you.
In Polynesian mythology, Ku is the god of war and he also happens to be one of the most popular gods used in Tiki tattoos right now. This is the Tiki design to get if you want to show that you have a warrior inside of you. It also makes for an excellent military tattoo. Ku often has an intense or angry expression on his face and fire-red or blue eyes.
Another extremely popular Tiki is Kane, who is the most powerful god of them all. This is a great Tiki design to get if you want to show that you control your own destiny and no one can get in your way while you are attempting to reach your goals. Kane also usually has a very intense look on his face and his head has these two interesting sideways triangles that can looking fantastic in tattoo form.
Those looking for a Tiki tattoo to represent fertility should look no further than the Lono Tiki tattoo. Obviously this is a great meaning for anyone who wants to have a lot of kids or who is proud to be part of a larger family. Lono has what looks like a large crown on his head, which makes him a great Tiki tattoo choice for anyone looking to place their tat on their arm.
Lastly, Kanaloa is the god of the sea, so this is the Tiki tattoo to choose if you love the water and/or work on the water. Kanaloa is actually the Tiki that most people will recognize because he has that standard Tiki look with a high hat and a very menacing look on his face. Since he is the god of the sea, some people choose to include a lot of blue in their Kanaloa tattoos or they will even put the Tiki on the water.
What’s interesting about Tiki tattoos is that they all have a similar look to them, but you really are free to add in any design elements that you want to include. This is especially true if you plan on this being your primary tattoo and you want to include as much personal meaning as possible. You can even embed multiple symbols into the Tiki itself, which is pretty great considering you’d usually have to use up more body space to add in additional images.
The expression on the Tiki’s face is usually the most important part of the Tiki tattoo because it tells outsiders a bit more about what it represents. Classically they have a screaming or angry look to them, but you can give your Tiki any expression that you want. You can even make your Tiki smile full-time or give it no expression at all.
Tiki tattoos were once only worn by people of Polynesian blood, but these days a lot of people all around the world get these tats for a variety of reasons. If you don’t have any type of Polynesian heritage, just be sure that you are respectful with your design and don’t stray too far away from the classic Tiki look. In most cases people will choose to get a Tiki tattoo because they love the look of these pieces and they find some type of meaning that really does work for them.
Where you should place your Tiki tattoo depends on the size and shape of your design and whether you want it to be visible for all to see. They can be designed to look great on the arms and legs since they are vertical designs, but they can also be stretched to make beautiful back tattoos. It really does come down to how much space you have to work with on your body and how important your Tiki tattoo is to you.
Just about every Tiki tattoo has quite a bit of detail, so this is the type of tattoo that you will want to have done by a seasoned professional. Ideally you will find an artist who has made Tiki tattoos in the past, but what’s most important is that they are known for being sticklers for details and will not rush through your design.
Hopefully now you have a better understanding of what Tiki tattoos are and why they are still so popular after all these years. They usually look amazing on the skin and they have these deep meanings that resonate with a lot of people. If you plan on getting a Tiki tattoo, you should be sure to take your time during the design process and then hire a top tattoo artist to create your Tiki for you.