POLYNESIAN CULTURE: TATOOS


Tatau, the body speaks


Te traditional Polynesian tattoo, the tatau, has been practiced for thousands of years, but it could have easily disappeared. Once banished by European settlers at the end of the 18th century, the art of tatau is now enjoying a true renaissance… the triumph of an enduring culture.


Identity card


"Ta-tau, ta-tau, ta-tau"... Tis mysterious rhythmic pattern was first heard by explorer James Cook during his expedition to the South Pacific seas. It is the melody of the Polynesian tattoo artist knocking together: a wooden handle with a small comb attached—made of bone, shark teeth, or tortoise shell—and a mallet that the tattoo artist taps to prick the skin.


For nearly 3,000 years, islanders throughout all Polynesia have been using their bodies as a canvas to ‘engrave’ their history, genealogy, and life’s important events. Te tatau was a rite of passage, intended to mark an identity, the passage of time, a social rank, or a personality. Tese designs effectively replace writing in ancient Polynesian societies, which are rich in oral traditions.


Everyone has a story


Over the centuries, each archipelago developed its own art of tattooing. From a mountainous island to a palm-lined atoll, the styles and symbols differ. While Marquesan tikis (representations of Polynesian demigods) symbolize protection and power, the fish is a mark of prosperity, the turtle indicates good health and family, and birds and waves represent travel and spirituality.


A tatau’s placement is also important. On the shoulder it is a sign of strength and bravery, on the torso it expresses generosity and sincerity, and on the head it symbolizes wisdom.


Renaissance of an art form, and respect for a culture


Deemed ‘barbaric’ by European missionaries, the traditional practice of tattooing was outlawed. Nearly 200 years later, the art of tatau has returned to its former glory. And although today’s techniques have been largely modernized, some tattooists continue to perpetuate the skills of their ancestors and, through them, the history and culture of Polynesia.


22 2025 Paul Gauguin Cruises | Polynesian Culture: Tattoos


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