Did you know that tattooing was a common practice even a thousand years ago in the Pacific islands? In Hawaii, tattoos have traditionally been used not only as a form of personal expression but also to distinguish between different tribes. Traditional Hawaiian tattoos were created with bird beaks, bones, and claws, not tattoo machines. These tattoos were usually either symmetrical geometric designs or pictures of flowers or animals. Today, tropical flowers remain one of the most popular tattoo design choices for residents of Hawaii as well as those on the mainland.
Hawaiian tattoos carry different meanings depending on the placement of the tattoo. Facial tattoos were once quite common, especially on the cheeks or forehead. Hawaiian tattoo designs have personal hidden meanings, but unlike in Samoan cultures, most tattoos were not applied for ceremonial purposes. Popular places for a Hawaiian flower tattoo include a single flower on the shoulder or hip, a lei around the arm or ankle, or a vine creeping up the side of one leg.
Today, many people not only in Hawaii but also on the mainland choose beautiful tropical flowers for their tattoo design. These designs are exotic and pay homage to the beautiful islands of Hawaii, whether you are from the island or just enjoy island style. Others choose Hawaiian flower tattoos for their artistic appeal or for the symbol attached to the specific blossom, chosen to reflect the wearer's personality.
When choosing a Hawaiian flower tattoo, it is important to familiarize yourself with the meanings behind each type of flower. Because each tropical flower used for tattoo designs has a specific meaning. For example, the Plumeria, a fragrant bloom, symbolizes welcome, hospitality, warmth, and friendship. This meaning comes from its use in the leis that are given to visitors on the Hawaiian Islands. The Plumeria also symbolizes spring, and is associated with life and procreation.
Anthuriums, birds of paradise, and orchids are most often chosen because of their distinctive tropical look. Native Hawaiian orchids are endangered, and many people take its meaning to be rare beauty or a threatened love. Orchids also stand for luxury, beauty, love, or strength, and are chosen for their elegant beauty.
The yellow hibiscus, another popular tattoo choice, is also Hawaii's state flower. Hibiscus flowers may range in color from pinks and purples to yellow, white, or even red. This flower is perhaps the best representation of the Hawaiian culture. It may also represent tenderness or delicate beauty, because its blossoms only last a short while. The hibiscus symbolizes the shortness of life, and is often used to mean "seize the opportunity."
Hawaiian flower tattoos are often designed with bold black lines and beautiful colors. They may be drawn in a feminine style, or in a tribal design. A Hawaiian floral-theme tattoo may be used to symbolize your ties to Hawaii, or chosen because of its unique exotic look. Often, several different floral species are combined, or the imagery of Hawaiian flowers is combined with dolphins or other symbols of the Hawaiian Islands in a larger tattoo design.
Source : Ezinearticles
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