In today’s generation, people can find tattoo artists who offer all kinds of tattoo designs in cities like Manchester, NH. This is primarily because of the fact that, nowadays, it has come to be accepted by society as a way to express one’s self. Some would even call it an art form that should be appreciated by people. And why not? Tattoos are not mere forms of scribbles and senseless designs. Rather, these are pieces of body art that each have a story and meaning behind it. In fact, some even have a rich heritage that dates back to centuries and is embedded in the culture they originated from. A great example of this would be the Polynesian Tattoo.

As a product of a tradition that existed for more than 2000 years, it is known as one of the oldest types of body art in the world. Full of distinctive designs and patterns, these tattoos were used by the ancient Polynesians to express themselves since writing did not exist in their culture. Essentially, these marvelous pieces of body art were utilized as indicators of hierarchical status, societal rank, and even sexual maturity.

Although it can be traced to a single heritage, Polynesian tattoos actually came from the varying cultures of the Polynesian Islands. These include designs that came from the Marquesans, Samoans, Niueans, Tongans, Cook Islanders, Hawaiians, Tahitians, and Maori tribes. Out of these cultures, it was the Tongans and Samoans who developed these designs into what it is today — a highly refined type of body art sought after by countless people in areas like Manchester.

With that being said, these are no ordinary tattoos. While it is true that these designs can be imitated by tattoo artists nowadays, the authentic tattooing process warrants the use of traditional tools. One of which is a special Samoan tattooing comb called au which is made from sharpened boar teeth, turtle shell fragments, and wood. Aside from these tools, the tattooing process also utilizes certain traditional techniques. These include washing the tattooed skin in salt water to avoid infection and massaging the area to ensure a perfectly-made tattoo. It is also worth mentioning that the entire process could last for months, unlike their modern counterparts that only last for a few hours.

Sounds painful, right? Well, that’s because it is! For Polynesians, the pain is an integral part of the process and the permanent marks would serve as a sign of devotion to their culture. For them, a tattoo is a symbol of success. A great example of this is someone whom you have seen countless times both in the big screen and the squared circle — none other than Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. In 2003, he covered his left chest and shoulder with a large Samoan tattoo. According to him, he got it done not only to symbolize the story his life and journey up to that point but also to pay homage to his ancestors and familial roots. After all, he is a part of the famous Anoa’i wrestling family. Nowadays, he is known as one of the people who have brought these designs to the mainstream media.

All in all, Polynesian tattoos have a rich culture, heritage, and history that spans thousands of years. It is one among many types of body art that carry meaning behind it and is not just used for show. Today, these tattoos are in demand by both teenagers and adults who aspire to sport these designs on their bodies. This resulted in tattoo parlors around the world honing their skills in imitating these patterns. And although it might irk some fanatics who insist that a tattoo should represent something important, we cannot deny that these beautiful tribal designs deserve the attention they’re getting.

So, if you are looking for a tattoo artist who can provide you with creative Polynesian-inspired tattoo designs in the area of Manchester, NH, look no further than us! NH Custom Tattoo specializes in creating excellent body art designs, ranging from tribal patterns to Biomech styles. And if you’re interested in getting a body piercing along with your tattoo, you wouldn’t have to worry because we provide that as well! With an experienced and bonafide tattoo parlor like us, you would be able to get the ink that you have always wanted! For more information about our body art, feel free to visit our SERVICES page. And if you’re interested in availing of our All-Day Tattoo Buffet, you can contact by using the information found on this page. You can also set an appointment by navigating to our CONTACT US page and filling up the form provided.

So, what are you waiting for? Give NH Custom Tattoo a call today!