Because tattooing was not only a symbolic of wealth, but also represented strength and power, chiefs and warriors usually had the most elaborate tattoos (History 2006). Therefore, men who had no tattoos were held in little regard and even despised, while men whose bodies were totally tattooed, "the to-oata," were held in great esteem (History 2006). When a female reached the age of twelve years, her right hand was tattooed, after which she was then allowed to prepare meals and participate in the rubbing of dead bodies with coconut oil (History 2006). Female tattoos were generally less extensive than those for men, and were usually "limited to the hand, arm, feet, ears and lips," however, women of social status and wealth might also have their legs tattooed (History 2006).

Author Steve Gilbert writes that because religion was such an integral part of all daily activities, "it was not that tattooing in and of itself was religious, but all activity was defined, controlled and limited by taboos, and overseen by spirits" (Hawthorne 2001). Therefore, tattooing was considered to serve as a "symbolic connection between the individual, the group and the Gods" (Hawthorne 2001). This would be especially potent due to the...

According to Mark Hawthorne, "anthropologists believe tattoos are part of the evolution of a tradition that views the voluntary endurance of pain as a way to tap into a primal urge for meaning and belonging," thus have always had a religious and spiritual significance (Hawthorne 2001). Moreover, they claim to have found instruments in Europe that were most likely used for tattooing that date back some 40,000 years (Hawthorne 2001). Tattoos were viewed as just another step in spiritual development, and most likely began as cuts into the skin to form scars, and then later the color from soot and plants were used (Hawthorn 2001).
Today, the most popular designs in French Polynesia are the "tiki, the turtle, the gecko, the ray, the shark, the dolphin," and various abstract symbolic designs (History 2006). In April 2000, the first international tattooing festival was organized on the 'sacred island' of Raiatea, and drew some 50 tattoo master from around the globe (History 2006).

Works Cited

Hawthorne, Mark. (2001 August 31). The Tale of Tattoos: The…