The Polynesian Triangle includes more than a thousand individual islands in the South Pacific Ocean forming several dozen cultural groups, most of which have their own distinct tattoo traditions.

“Polynesian tattoos are a non-writing tradition and an ... and waves stand for travel and the ocean. Tata wears a symbol known as Ipu. “It represents the universe, power, aura, but also ...

It is also understood throughout Polynesia that people of all ethnicities may bear Neo-Polynesian Tribal tattoos ... kuleana to the ocean and the land.” The pe‘a stood out immediately to ...

Instead of dying a premature and horrific death by drowning in the ocean ... inspired by real-life Polynesian culture, history, and mythology. Maui's tattoos are part of his transformation ...

The ocean in Polynesian mythology isn’t just a setting ... choices about which elements to adapt. While Maui’s tattoos in the films serve as animated storytelling devices, real Polynesian ...

In Polynesian culture, tattoos are incredibly meaningful ... swimming deep into the ocean to touch the land, thus breaking the evil god Nalo's curse. When Maui goes to save her, he sings a ...

Now an ancient bone tattoo kit from the Pacific island nation of Tonga is providing researchers with more than an inkling into the rich history of Polynesian body art, a method so indelible ...

[Related: ‘Fingerprints’ confirm the seafaring stories of adventurous Polynesian navigators.] In addition to her work traversing the Pacific Ocean, Kamalu served as an advisor on the original ...