As I promised, in this article I will explain more about the meaning of Ta Moko – Maori tattoos. This is the second article about Ta Moko. The first one is titled Ta Moko – Tattoo Maori style.

During the puberty a spiral ornament was tattooed on the body, which together with passing years represented the name of the person. Men received this ornament on their chest, hips and groin and women on the lower part of the face. Since the ornament was pretty complicated, the priest first drew a sketch on the body, and then made cuts which later were filled with ink.
In most of the Maori tribes the face was the main target for tattooing: it was used for displaying the family tree. Usually tattoos on the right side of the face showed the family tree from the mother’s side and the left side showed the father’s side. If a person didn’t have a family then the appropriate side of the face remained blank. If the tattoo didn’t match the actual family tree, the person was killed.

Male facial tattoo has eight sections:

1. Ngakaipikirau – the central part of the forehead – the rank.
2. Ngunga – area around eyebrows – the status (position).
3. Uirere – eyes and area around the nose.
4. Uma – temples – the first or second marriage
5. Raurau – area under the nose – signature
6. Taiohou – cheeks – work
7. Wairua – chin – estate
8. Taitoto – jaw – birth status

Zigzag lines on hands and wrists – number of victims this person had.
There is also a belief that these life-telling tattoos will help the person after death.

There are number of famous people who made themselves a Maori tattoos, take for example Robbie Williams or Mike Tyson.

Related posts:

1. Ta Moko – Tattoo Maori style
2. The Magic and Science of Manuka Honey