Samoan Tattoos Designs, Ideas and Meaning

As the name suggests, Samoan tattoos have their origin in the Polynesian culture of the Samoan people. They have a rich tradition of tattoos that go back for two millennia. The legacy of their tattoos gradually spread to the Western world after Dutch sailors first stepped on the island of Manua in 1722. Nowadays people love to sport Samoan tattoos even though not all of us would love to sit for the lengthy and painful procedure associated with these tattoos. Both the men’s tattoos called pe’a and women’s tattoos, known as malu were done by using teethed combs that were dipped in the ink. Although originally done on women of rank, men within the Samoan culture also sported them to symbolize their manhood. Different Samoan symbols are used in tattooing that carry an array of meanings. Some of the most popular ones include the tiki, the turtle, shark teeth and sea shells.