Before arrival dela European models was not the language of the Polynesians no transcript but only verbally. Tattoo designs serve to express the identity and personality. They gave the social rank in the hierarchy or set of symbols of nature, age and origin. In ancient Polynesian society, each person was practically tattooed from the onset of puberty.
The return of the forbidden art: Shortly after the arrival of the missionaries was strictly banned this practice. Only recently, in the early 80s, he witnessed the tattoo art of a renaissance. Therefore, the Polynesians reappeared with their cultural heritage online, and are proud of their identity. In the prehistoric cave of Aurignac it was found small pointed bones, which are believed to have for tattooing can be used.
The old settlers of Polynesia were first printed motifs in the body. Tattooed men themselves so that no piece of bare skin was most affected. Polynesia is known for the artistic tattoos in the world, distinguished by their shapes.
In fact, the word "tattoo" comes (Tattoo in English, pronounced Tatu) of Polynesia. More specifically, the Polynesian word ta "hit" and tau tau term describes the sound of the crash of bones.
The style of Maori Moko in New Zealand, for example, was a tribal tattoo, indicating the identity and status within a group for each member of the tribe. She made each person unique and distinctive. The most difficult was the design of tattoos, the higher the social rank. Tattooed from head to toe and began at age 8 man. It was a slow and painful process and tattoos was embellished over the course of his life.