What is a marquesan cross?
Marquesan cross is another symbol which is quite popular and widely used in many Polynesian tattoo designs. It’s often used to symbolize balance between elements and harmony. Its origin is unknown but some archeological study shows that it’s connected to turtle shell.
What is an enata?
Enata (singular) Human figures, otherwise known as enata in Marquesan language, represent men, women and sometimes gods. They can be placed within a tattoo to represent people and their relations. If they are placed upside down then they can be used to represent defeated enemies.
What does the Marquesan Cross tattoo mean?
Most important for women was the Marquesan Cross, a design which emerges in the space between two side-by-side Tikis. This powerful emblem was tattooed just below a woman’s ear, which represented the womb.
How do you determine the meaning of Marquesan symbols?
The method used to determine the meaning of the symbols is linguistics. This is done by finding the words related to tattoo designs on the main Marquesan language and particularly its significance in Marquesan myths. Therefore, the symbolism of the designs is based on its deep Marquesan roots.
Are there tattoos in the Marquesas Islands?
These early tattoos, on the bodies of sailors, began the reintroduction of tattooing to the West. Tattooing is still performed on the Marquesas Islands, though now performed with a tattoo machine rather than traditional methods. ^ “Tattoo History Museum”. vanishingtattoo.com. Retrieved 2009-08-24.
What is the difference between Marquesan and Tahitian tattoos?
To distinguish the Marquesan tattoo from the Tahitian tattoo, the face is never tattooed. The most common forms of Marquesan tattoo are abstract geometric (circles, crescents, rectangles) and figurative (animals, plants) tattooed on their arms, legs and shoulders.