Polynesian turtle tattoos became common among Europeans no more than a few decades ago. For the first time, such a tattoo appeared among the Pacific tribes, it was possible to determine the status of a person, his origin or even occupation. Only priests could draw a picture on the body of a fellow tribesman, and the process itself was a real sacrament.

Symbol history

The Polynesian archipelago includes about 1000 different islands, but the most famous and mysterious is the culture of the Maori tribe. Representatives of this tribe communicated with the gods with the help of tattoos, which were applied to their bodies with improvised means - animal teeth or incisors. Maori highly respected turtles for their longevity and strong shell, which is why they often tattooed this animal as a token of their respect. First of all, the turtle was a symbol of wisdom, so such a tattoo could only be found among mature, wealthy and respected members of the tribe.

The Meaning of the Polynesian Turtle Tattoo

Over time, the meaning of the tattoo in the form of a Polynesian tortoise began to acquire more and more different variations, as the inhabitants of the tribe followed the life of these animals and noticed some of their features.

The main meanings of the tattoo are:

• Wisdom and prudence;
• Calmness, slowness, thoughtfulness;
• Patience;
• A symbol of a balanced person who carefully thinks through his every step;
• Stealth (due to a strong shell);
• Longevity or even eternity;
• Fertility and fertility;
• Diligence (when it is assumed that the picture shows a turtle at dawn).

Often, Polynesian turtle tattoos were a strong amulet against evil spirits and life's troubles. This meaning of the tattoo is associated with the fact that the animal has a strong shell that will always protect it from enemies.

Places of application

The priests of the Maori tribe were well versed in human anatomy and always carefully thought out where to fill the tattoo. The location of the drawing had to correspond to certain energy meridians of the human body in order to positively influence the owner of the tattoo.
The most common placement option for a turtle tattoo is on the arm, chest, or back. Mostly, the sketch is combined with other tattoos and forms a complete picture - a “sleeve” or even a larger half-body tattoo. Less common is placement on the foot. The location of the tattoo does not affect its meaning.

Color spectrum

Polynesian tattoos are traditionally stuffed exclusively in black, as this color scheme allows you to get as close as possible to the spirits and reveal your energy (according to the Polynesians). Other color options are not available.

Polynesian tortoise for boys and girls

The Maori tribe had a clear division of tattoos into male and female. The turtle belongs to male tattoos, respectively, it does not occur in women. In modern culture, some girls still stuff this symbol, although from the point of view of the symbolism of the sign, this is not entirely true.

Tattoo style

The only style for the Polynesian tortoise is the technique of the same name - Polynesia. Its peculiarity is in the combination of ornate lines, labyrinths, spirals, which form a single pattern. As a result, the tattoo is somewhat reminiscent of an image that has been burned into wood. Each stroke of the drawing is crucial, so the choice of sketch should be approached responsibly - either contact the indigenous people of Polynesia, or use ancient historical books.

Additional sketch elements

Most often, the tattoo is combined with a geometric ornament, forming a complete "sleeve". Less often you can find a combination of a Polynesian tortoise with tiki masks, sharks, rays, dolphins, whales, and some other animals.

The hidden meaning of the tattoo

The inhabitants of the Maori tribe believed that tattoos not only allow you to get closer to the gods, but also significantly affect a person’s life and destiny. Turtles were usually stuffed for men who wished to stop participating in wars or hunting work, start a family and live in peace. Often, such a tattoo was applied to mature people of advanced age as a sign of their maturity and wisdom, the transition from an active life to a quiet old age. In the modern world, tattoos in the form of a Polynesian tortoise are stuffed regardless of age, since the meaning of the picture can be varied. First of all, it is still a powerful amulet that will especially help people with dangerous work - police, military, firefighters, etc., because Maori tattoos protect only those who really need it and give good to people in return.

In tattoo culture, the tortoise is one of the oldest and richest animal in symbolism. In modern people, the first associations with a turtle are, of course, slowness, bewilderment and even lethargy, but antiquity dictates to us somewhat different ideas and attitudes towards this animal.

Chinese culture, for example, calls the tortoise the Faithful Warrior and considers symbol of endurance and strength. In general, in China, the tortoise enjoys great reverence: it is one of the four enlightened, spiritually enlightened animals, along with the Azure Dragon, the White Tiger and the phoenix (Red Bird). In this quartet, she symbolizes the water element, primordial chaos, black, north, yin. The soldiers of the imperial army of China applied a tortoise and a dragon to the body, as symbol of invincibility. In some legends, she is endowed with predictive abilities.

In the Greco-Roman tradition, the tortoise was dedicated to Venus (Aphrodite), she embodied femininity and fertility water world, was the emblem of Hermes.

Longevity has become one of the most important symbolisms of the turtle, this is due to the long life span of these creatures (about 150 years). Her longevity and wisdom were especially revered in Japan; the Japanese also considered her an attribute of the main god of the sea, Kumpira, and a symbol of navigation. .

In many myths and legends, the turtle is considered as a symbol of the beginning of the world of creation. So in India and the adjacent countries of Asia, she kept an elephant on her back, which rested the world on her back. Moreover, the elephant was the personification of the masculine, and the tortoise - the feminine, together they meant all the generative power of creation.

And among the Taoists, this animal was also sacred and, perhaps, the most revered. The turtle tattoo embodies the entire cosmos along with the dome of the sky(shell). Among the American Indians, the Space Tree also grew from the back of a turtle. Among the ancient Sumerians, the tortoise was a deity - a conductor of great depths.

But the strongest and, perhaps, the deepest symbolism, just like a tattoo, the turtle found in ancient Polynesia. There, the meaning of a turtle tattoo was primarily expressed as a strong amulet.. After all, this animal played no small role in the entire culture of Polynesia, it was considered strong and mysterious, so it could not but be reflected in the art of tattooing.

In the west, the attributes and characteristics of the turtle included such symbols as calmness, self-confidence, stability, great knowledge. Also, the turtle is often found as a symbol of protection, thanks to its strong shell. , who hides her from all dangers. In Rus', turtles were also treated well, considering it the wisest and calmest of all animals.

A turtle tattoo can have a special meaning for every person, so for the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, the turtle tattoo was a symbol of a reminder of how he once crossed the equator.

0 The turtle has been a powerful spiritual symbol in a number of traditions and cultures around the world. From the Native Americans to the Japanese, there are countless creation legends in which Turtle plays a key role.

In some Native American tales, the Turtle is the deity of the world's shores. Tradition says that the animal brought mud from the bottom of the vast global ocean and used it to create continents. This connection to Mother Earth and Ocean may explain why turtles represent the feminine cycle and the movements of the Moon.

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However, before I continue, I want to advise you a couple more sensible publications on the topic of tattoos. For example, what does Pig Tattoo mean; the meaning of the Knife Tattoo; what does Tattoo Footprints mean; how to understand Dog Tattoos, etc.
So let's continue Turtle Tattoo Meaning?

Of course, one of the most famous associations of the Turtle comes from Aesop's popular children's fables. These works are distinguished by brevity and conciseness, and their morality is very simple, although this does not lose their instructive value. The characters of his fables are a variety of animals, and the instructive lesson is not presented directly, but through allegory. In one of the fables "The Tortoise and the Hare", the tortoise invites the big-eared hare to measure his speed while running. The hare, realizing that he can win without problems, lies down on the road, and is in no hurry to start, while the tortoise tries his best to reach the finish line. As a result, the long-eared did not have time to finish, and the turtle won. And the bottom line is that work and perseverance takes up over natural abilities.
This concept is not isolated, in fact many African and ancient Greek traditions are filled with stories praising the wisdom of the tortoise and the stupidity of all its rivals.

On average, turtles live to be 150 years old, and as such, they are revered as symbols of health and longevity. The Zuni tribes of New Mexico produce tribal pouches that are adorned with the turtle emblem. These special small bags are said to increase health and help the wearer avoid death. In the Navajo tribe, a similar practice is carried out, the shell is considered the only acceptable vessel for medical procedures. turtles.

In Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean, sea turtles are regarded as powerful aphrodisiacs. Although catching them is illegal due to the extremely low number of turtles left in the wild, many men hunt and eat these precious animals in hopes of boosting their activity and sexual prowess.

Many people personify the Turtle as the spiritual essence of creation and the beautiful continuation of Mother Nature, recognizing her influence on the conscience and soul of mankind.

Meaning of Turtle Tattoo

Throughout human history, the Turtle has been a symbol for inspiring positive change. While they may not be the most perfect symbols of the creation of the universe among animals, their special survival instincts and their "going with the flow" have made these gentle creatures powerful totems in indigenous tribes around the world. The turtle also embodies:

• Patience
• Longevity
• Wisdom
• Innocence
• Stability
• Endurance
• feminine energy

Turtle Tattoo Variations

Turtle tattoos come in different types. From the comical features of little turtles, to the intricate tribal patterns of Samoan art, every artist (and eventually owner) adds their own idea to every tattoo design. Black, blue, green, pink and even gray turtles are often added to the motif to beautifully highlight other design elements. Popular turtle tattoos include:

Tribal Turtle Tattoo

Polynesian, Samoan, Hawaiian and Maori design elements are the most prominent features of tribal skull tattoos, mainly because these creatures are inextricably linked to the cultural and self-identity of these islanders. As people and ideas spread around the world, ordinary tattoo artists took up the ancient traditions of these noble people and tribal turtle tattoos, and adopted the cultural designs of the islanders and their deep spiritual connection with the sea, mother nature and the turtle. See the article about the meaning of Tribal Tattoos.

Celtic Turtle Tattoo

A deep reverence for turtles has long been rooted - this amazing concept is not the exclusive merit of the Pacific Islanders. The turtle is the emblem of Mother Nature, so it's not uncommon for people to combine their cultural roots with this spirit of Earth and Water. Traditional Celtic patterns are numerous loops representing the endless cycle of life and longevity. When fused with the image of the Turtle, it's a great way to blend two seemingly unrelated cultures and express your desire for a healthy, long life. Learn more about Celtic Symbols.

Turtle and peace symbol tattoo

This popular slogan of the 1960s (Peace Turtle) became one of the cornerstones of many social movements and environmentalists. As a divine creator, the Turtle has always represented the beauty and complex uncertainty of Mother Nature. Tattoo « world turtle is a great way to pay tribute to the ideals of One Love and Peace for All and human awareness of its impact on the ecology of the world.

Some believe that such an animal as a turtle can only be associated with slowness, slowness and laziness. In fact, everything is completely wrong! These stereotypes have nothing to do with reality. Most turtles are excellent swimmers, and move just as quickly on land. This animal is one of the oldest on Earth, so we often meet it in ancient myths and legends of many peoples. The turtle was revered by representatives of various cultures. It is not surprising that her image occupies an important place in contemporary art.

This symbol is very multifaceted and interesting, therefore it attracts tattoo lovers. Yes, and this animal looks very impressive. The turtle tattoo cannot be called too popular and widespread, but this character definitely has its target audience.

Story

The ancients believed that the flat Earth rested on the backs of giant elephants, which stand on a huge turtle, and that, in turn, drifts in the waters of the oceans. Many fairy tales and legends are associated with this, in which the turtle is the personification of the feminine, fertility, the foundation of life. An important role here is played by the phenomenal longevity of this animal.

In the Far East, the turtle has always been revered as the mistress of the ocean and sea waters. She was credited with superpowers and unprecedented wisdom. The turtle tattoo was very common in many archaic cultures of the islanders and residents of hot countries, from which it subsequently migrated to the modern tribal.

The inhabitants of Hellas believed that the tortoise is the earthly incarnation of the goddess Aphrodite. And the Indians believed that this reptile was endowed with a magical gift. Many families chose her as a totem.

Tattoo Meaning

All these ancient beliefs have left an indelible mark on the perception of people. The "turtle" tattoo, the meaning of which is quite extensive and multifaceted, is most often chosen by people who are fond of antiquities, disappeared civilizations, and mysticism.

Love this story and adventurers. Turtles are known to travel great distances during their migrations. Therefore, the "turtle" tattoo often betrays a travel lover in the owner.

Styles

Perhaps most often this image can be found in the performance of masters working in the styles of tribal and realism. But often the turtle is depicted in other styles: old school, chicano, trash polka. Fans of the now fashionable ironic and colorful did not stand aside.

Colors

The complexity of the drawing is determined by the tastes and financial capabilities of the customer. Someone chooses a strict black outline, and someone chooses a life-size realistic multi-colored image. It is difficult to talk about any trends here, it all depends on the sketch. The tattoo looks amazing anyway. This tattoo is also characterized by the natural colors in which the animal is painted in nature, and the brightest colors.

Where is the turtle hiding?

Yes, anywhere! On the shoulder blade, on the back, on the neck, on the lower leg or thigh... Some manage to place this pattern even on a clean-shaven head.

Remember that the more realistic the sketch, the more space it will need. But for kids, it is better to choose small areas, for example, ankles, otherwise the turtle will look a little lost and lost.

Equally often you can meet such a tattoo in both men and women of all ages.

Remember that wherever you decide to make a turtle tattoo, you must strictly follow all the recommendations of the master. Then she will delight you with beauty for many years.