bird tattoo behind ear meaning

THE SYMBOLISM BEHIND POLYNESIAN TATTOOS

Many have asked how to read and understand the meaning of a Polynesian tattoo, and the answer is always the same: it’s not entirely possible. Almost.

If you examine the two tattoos above, it’s clear they carry distinct meanings and purposes. The one on the left is clearly linked to femininity, while the one on the right is likely related to warrior symbolism.

Each symbol in a Polynesian tattoo can carry multiple meanings, and how these symbols are used in conjunction with each other gives rise to different interpretations and stories. For instance, the enata symbol represents a person—it could refer to a father in one tattoo, a friend in another, or the wearer of the tattoo themselves. The tiki symbolizes protection, often representing a divinity or a revered ancestor. The ipu is a symbol of fertility, but it can also represent good winds or ancestors, particularly if mirrored in the design.

The story behind each tattoo is just as important as the symbols themselves. The true meaning of a tattoo can only be understood within the context of the entire design and its specific narrative. The only people who know the exact meaning of each symbol in a Polynesian tattoo are the tattoo artist and the person wearing it, which adds to the personal nature of these tattoos. Even though the tattoos are visible to all, their stories remain private.

Larger symbols in a tattoo often represent the most significant themes, while smaller symbols contribute details to the overall narrative. The placement and size of these elements can provide insights into the tattoo’s general meaning, but without knowing the full story, it’s difficult to interpret the tattoo’s deeper significance.

Let’s take a closer look at a tattoo example to understand how this works.

Looking at the design, the central element is the tiki, which represents a divinity or an ancestor. This tiki is enclosed within the shape of a mere, a war club and symbol of chiefly status, emphasizing themes of strength and leadership.

Upon closer examination, we can identify several secondary elements in the tattoo:

  • All-seeing eye (protection)
  • Fish hook (prosperity)
  • Chasing birds (support for loved ones)
  • Path of Kamehameha (challenging journey)
  • Spearheads (warrior, strength)
  • Stepping stones (achievements, lessons)
  • Adze (skills, hard work)
  • Enata (man)
  • Shark teeth (adaptability, protection)
  • Sun (success, joy)
  • Waves (change)
  • Mountains (stability)

Based on these symbols, we can interpret that the tattoo emphasizes protection, especially through the tiki and the all-seeing eye, and the chasing birds symbolizing support for loved ones. It also signifies overcoming challenges, with the spearheads and the path of Kamehameha representing bravery and determination. The presence of the adze and spearheads suggests the importance of skill and hard work in reaching success, which is symbolized by the sun at the end of the path. The mere suggests a link to status and respect, while the fish hook signifies prosperity.

However, we cannot fully grasp the meaning of the tattoo without understanding its deeper story. So, let’s look at the narrative behind the design: this tattoo serves as a memorial for a father, symbolized by the tiki. The father was a respected and strong figure (represented by the mere-like shape), who imparted his wisdom and teachings to his son (the stepping stones at the base). The son is meant to take his place at the head, as seen with the tiki holding the enata (man) within the sun, symbolizing success. The mere was passed down through generations, a legacy of strength and leadership.

The father, depicted as a solid figure (the mountains), supported his son (the chasing birds), helping him prosper (the fish hook) by teaching him the skills necessary (adze and spearheads) to face life’s challenges (the path of Kamehameha). Ultimately, the father prepares his son for leadership, signified by the sun, after his passing, represented by the waves moving away from the son toward the tiki, the deified ancestor.

With this backstory, every element of the tattoo falls into place, and its true meaning emerges.

While we can understand the general themes of the tattoo—family, protection, prosperity, and strength—it’s impossible to fully decode its story without knowing the personal narrative behind it. Polynesian tattoos, like all visual art from the culture, serve as a medium for storytelling, whether it’s a personal history or a broader historical tale passed down orally. These tattoos are not just decorative; they carry profound meaning tied to the individual and their journey.

Both the story and the design are equally important. Understanding one without the other is incomplete, as the person wearing the tattoo is the only one who truly knows its meaning and the mana it holds. A tattoo’s power is fully realized when it resonates with the wearer’s life story, and when that connection is made, the possibilities are limitless.




38+ MEANINGFUL TATTOOS CELEBRATING MOM AND DAD

From minimalist scripts to lifelike portraits, the variety of mom and dad tattoos is truly endless!

Mom and dad tattoos are among my favorites to create. They not only express a deep love for parents but also reflect the beautiful memories of a cherished childhood, serving as a heartfelt tribute to their influence.

In this post, I’ll share some of the best mom and dad tattoo ideas and offer tips on how to make them uniquely yours, celebrating your special bond with your parents!

Simple Script Mom and Dad Tattoos

If you’re seeking simpler mom and dad tattoo designs, this one is definitely worth considering. Essentially, this type of tattoo features the words “Mom” and “Dad,” capturing the essence of your love in a straightforward yet meaningful way.

Of course, if you refer to your parents by a different term or one in a different language, then make sure to use these terms in your mom and dad tattoo. This will make your mom and dad tattoo a lot more authentic and meaningful.

For this kind of mom and dad tattoo, your main focus will be on figuring out what kind of font you should use in your tattoo design.

For instance, if you want something more sophisticated, then cursive writing will do. In case you would like a more whimsical option for mom and dad tattoo designs, then a printed or typewriter font will do.

Infinity Sign Mom and Dad Tattoos

If you’re seeking meaningful tattoo ideas, you might want to consider a mom and dad infinity tattoo. The infinity symbol represents eternity and boundlessness, making it a profound way to express your everlasting love for your parents.

Incorporating this symbol with your mom and dad tattoo is a beautiful way to convey that your love for one another is truly endless!

Of course, the infinity tattoo can represent more than just love. It can symbolize various aspects of your life, such as commitment, loyalty, and much more!

Speaking of which, there are countless ways to design your mom and dad infinity tattoo. If you want to highlight the interconnectedness of your relationship, incorporating the words “Mom” and “Dad” into the infinity symbol can be a beautiful option.

Heart Mom and Dad Tattoos

In this design, the words “Mom” and “Dad” are accompanied by a heart, beautifully symbolizing unconditional love. What makes these mom and dad tattoo ideas particularly special is their ability to represent all forms of love, making them a meaningful tribute to your parents.

In case you would like to do something a bit more detailed, then you may want to consider a mom and dad flower tattoo. This is where the flowers make up the shape of the heart and is inscribed along with the words.

If you want, you can have a heart in between the words. Or, you can have the words inscribed inside of a heart. This works well if you want to keep your mom and dad tattoo fairly minimalistic.

Mom and Dad Portrait Tattoos

If you’re looking for a mom and dad tattoo that is truly personalized, consider getting a portrait tattoo. This design captures the likeness of your parents, creating a meaningful tribute that celebrates their unique presence in your life.

Portrait mom and dad tattoo designs are exactly what they sound like: they are based on pictures or photographs of your parents. As a result, these tattoos are not only a wonderful way to honor your parents but also a beautiful means of capturing significant moments on your skin.

In case you don’t mind a more complex portrait mom and dad tattoo, then you can go all out with the details and make your mom and dad tattoo look as realistic as possible. Now, the thing to keep in mind with such realistic portrait mom and dad tattoos is that you will need a talented tattoo artist to get the job done.

In fact, portrait mom and dad tattoos don’t necessarily have to feature realistic depictions of your parents. If a detailed portrait seems a bit too complicated, you might consider opting for cartoon or caricature versions instead.

The sentiment behind these mom and dad tattoo designs remains the same, and that’s what truly matters!

Royal Mom and Dad Tattoos

This design offers a fresh twist on the script tattoo. Here, the words “Mom” and “Dad” are paired with a crown, adding an elegant touch to your mom and dad tattoo. This unique combination not only highlights your love for your parents but also emphasizes their special place in your life.

This design pays tribute to the amazing mom and dad you have, serving as a cute way to express that they are the king and queen of your heart.

There are several ways to execute these mom and dad tattoos. You could choose to have a single crown above both titles, or opt for a crown over “Mom” and another crown over “Dad.” Both variations beautifully highlight their significance in your life.

This is a fantastic way to personalize the tattoo to reflect each of your parents. Take a look at these mom and dad tattoos featuring this design:

Date Mom and Dad Tattoos

Many of the mom and dad tattoos I’ve introduced feature the words “Mom” and “Dad.” This approach is excellent if you want to make the message of your tattoo clear and straightforward

You can use each person’s birthday to represent them. If you would like, you can go with the whole date or can choose to only go with the year that they were born in.

If you would like to represent the year that your family began, then you can include their wedding anniversary in your mom and dad tattoo.

If you want to ensure that you are represented in your mom and dad tattoo, consider including your birthday alongside theirs. You can creatively illustrate how their birthdays or birth years led to yours, making it a meaningful way to incorporate everyone into the tattoo design.

Angelic Mom and Dad Tattoos

These are pretty popular mom and dad tattoo designs and it is easy to see why. Having the words mom and dad inscribed within angel wings and maybe a halo is a lovely nod to your parents.

On one hand, this design serves as a beautiful acknowledgment of how your parents have been your guardian angels throughout your life, watching over you and caring for you every step of the way.

It could also be a nod to how angelic your parents have been during your lifetime – how they have worked hard and sacrificed so much for you to achieve success and have a better life. This kind of mom and dad tattoo also works well if you have religious parents.

If your parents have passed away, this design can also make for a beautiful tribute tattoo.

The great thing about this mom and dad tattoo is its versatility; it can be designed small enough to fit virtually anywhere on your body. Plus, if you have siblings, these lovely patterns can create adorable matching wrist tattoos that celebrate your shared bond.

Fingerprint Heart Mom and Dad Tattoos

If you’re searching for unique mom and dad tattoos, this is definitely something to consider.

In this design, each half of the tattoo features half of your parents’ fingerprints (or thumbprints). This creative approach adds a personal touch to your mom and dad tattoo, making it a meaningful and customized tribute.

If you want this particular design for your mom and dad tattoo to be especially meaningful, consider using your parents’ thumb or fingerprints. To help your tattoo artist replicate the design, have your parents place their fingers or thumbs together to form a heart, then create an ink imprint of this shape.

If you prefer not to go through the hassle of creating the fingerprint design, that’s perfectly fine! You can simply ask your tattoo artist to recreate a design based on mom and dad tattoos that you show them.

CONCLUSION

Well, there you have it—the top mom and dad tattoos for you to choose from! Many of these designs allow you to incorporate “Mom,” “Dad,” and yourself into a family tattoo.

So go ahead and explore these tattoos to find the perfect mom and dad design for you!