Maori Tattoo Art
Traditional Maori art style featuring intricate tattoo patterns (ta moko), often using spirals and curves to represent genealogy, status, and identity.
Overview
Origin
New Zealand (Maori culture)
Historical Period
Pre-European contact to present
Cultural Significance
Maori ta moko tattoos are a sacred art form, representing an individual's identity, genealogy, and social status within the community.
Historical Timeline
Pre-1769
Traditional ta moko practices established
1769
First European documentation by Captain Cook
1907
Tohunga Suppression Act affects traditional practice
Techniques
Carving into the skin with chisels (traditional method)
Intricate spiral and curve patterns
Use of bold black ink
Symbolic designs unique to each individual
Cultural Context
Maori ta moko tattoos are a sacred art form, representing an individual's identity, genealogy, and social status within the community.
Did You Know?
Maori ta moko tattoos were traditionally carved into the skin using chisels, a painful process that marked significant life events and social status.