Samoan Tattoo Designs (You’ll Want to Get These All!)

Samoan Tattoo designs. We promise you, you’ll want to get ALL of these Samoan tattoos. Incredible artwork from the best tattoo artists around the world.Samoan Tattoo Designs. Samoan is a Polynesian island and the place where the Samoan tattoo emerged 2 thousand years ago. They didn’t have the technology we do these days and that made tattooing even more special. Accompanied by music, the tattoo artist was poking holes in a person’s skin with the help of a sharp tortoise shell, a so called bone comb, bamboo or wood, as well as ink made from the soot of burnt candle-nut shells. The whole process was extremely painful and it cannot be compared with what you’d be going through if you decided to get a Samoan tattoo with modern tools.

Men and women got more than one Samoan tattoo back then. This is because they symbolized courage, power and they were considered sexually attractive. Women weren’t allowed to get tattooed anywhere they wanted, but men were admired and respected if their bodies were entirely covered by them. In fact, one had to earn a tattoo because they all had special meanings and rankings. The only exceptions were the Etua designs, which represented spiritual and religious beliefs.

Samoan Tattoo Designs:

Maori and Hawaiian tattoos are included in the Samoan tattoos category, but they are a little bit different when it comes to symbols and preferred body areas. Since Polynesia comprises numerous islands, it’s hard to tell which tattoo is 100% Samoan and which not. We call all of them tribal tattoos now and we enjoy their beauty mostly in black, but also in black and other colors.

Manly Polynesian tattoo behind the ear

Also including curved shapes, this tattoo has Maori elements in it. I can tell it is done recently because of its location. We aren’t concerned about rankings anymore or at least we’re not expressing them through tattoos. Workmanlike is the translation for the word “tatau” in Polynesian, which means tattoo. I have to agree that this design is manly!

The updated version of an ancient concept

Maori legacy on a woman’s spine

According to the history of Maori tattoos, they were often placed on a woman’s back. A Samoan tattoo was usually located on a woman’s arms, lips and hands, so this design is only originated from the tatau legacy. Regardless of its provenance, it does flatter her back and somehow makes it look longer. It is made of repetitive symbols and it is symmetrical as well.

An attractive Samoan design for women

A combination of Enatas and some creatures

Enatas is a category that includes life experiences, ranks in society and relationships status.  This Samoan tattoo is definitely made of motifs that used to mean something related to the categories above. Unless you’re an expert in Samoan symbols or you make your own tattoo with symbols you know exactly what they mean, it is hard to read such ink job.

Long life and fertility thanks to turtle here

The turtle is an often met motif in the Samoan culture. It talks about long life and fertility, so it makes sense why so many people want it inked. Although it is very popular, you can think of an original design using curved lines and the so called shark teeth. The latter looks like triangles and may be flat or sharp depending on the design.

Arm decorated with shark teeth and other elements

Another fun fact about the shark teeth is that more than half of all Samoan tattoos ever made comprise them. They bring shelter, power and ferocity, so here’s the reason why it is included this often. As you probably know, tribal tattoos aren’t exactly known for their deep meanings. They are considered quite plain and not at all profound. Well, now you know what those triangles mean!

18. The story of a fulfilling life

17. Lower back Samoan tattoo

This is another symmetrical example of Samoan tattoo, which contains Maori elements. It stretches over the back of a fit woman, creating the impression of a thinner waist. The tattoo artists chose to place the black portions on her thinnest waist area. Unlike 2 thousand years ago, we are now concerned of optical illusions like this one as well.

16. Polynesian decorations for men

This guy has more than one Polynesian tattoo. Both speak about courage and power and enhance his masculine look. Niho mano or the shark teeth are combined with spear heads, combination which talks about courage, fight and defeating enemies. He might not be a warrior in real life, but he sure looks like one!

15. Atypical colored design Polynesian style

Since the colors of the rainbow weren’t an option for tattooing 2 thousand years ago, you’ll rarely see a Samoan tattoo that has colors in it. This one isn’t too colored either, but you can’t ignore the red/brownish areas that confer it certain warmth. I think he will extend his sleeve and keep his colored signature.

14. Sea shells and turtle shells

Sea shells and turtle shells refer to longevity, wellness, fertility, peace, shield, protection and intimacy. They may be embedded in arm tattoos or leg tattoos, like the one in the picture above. While a Samoan tattoo is made of a limited number of symbols, the ways they are combined really makes a difference.

13. Wild beauty and her afferent tattoo

12. Ta moko or the Polynesian face tattoo

Maori people marked their status with the help of face tattoos. These implied the usage of different tools and they didn’t leave the skin smooth. While men were allowed to get tattooed all over their faces, women only got them on their lips, chin and nostrils.

11. Mesmerizing geometry according to tradition

10. The ancient eyes are watching

9. Samoan from legs to shoes

8. Popular symbols combined for a successful design

7. A couple connected by Samoan art

6. A symmetrical commitment to Polynesian people

5. Decorative tattoo for a woman’s chest

4. The Rock and his Polynesian tattoo

3. An impressive social status

2. A leader among the New Zealanders

The Sun or any circular pattern for that matter represents brilliance, grandness and leadership. The symbols that surround any circular shape may be different and express a wide variety of things.

1. A map of forgotten history