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Whakapai tattoo photo
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Whakapai
Improvement, preparation

October 10th, 2012
  Author: GiErre

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This full sleeve tattoo was requested by Ole to mark his achievements and record his story.

Waves and sea elements run throughout the whole design to represent his relation and affinity to the sea.

From bottom to top (from material to spiritual) his story develops from the past to the present, with the chest plate on the front dealing with his future.

The pointed elements at the lower end are a stylized tiki hand, representing protection in the past, with a hammerhead shark motif cut through it (tenacity and strength, which he needed to face past difficulties); the carved upside down enata signifies an enemy he defeated.

The other 4 enatas just above represent a cousin and a few friends who helped him and who represent his closest circle of friends with the dots between them symbolizing their importance and their always being there as points of reference. The motifs used for this part represent family and the warrior, adaptability.

Ole´s fight for change and self improvement for a better future leads to the sun on top: positivity, energy and success (the spear heads symbolize the warrior and the hammerhead shark going into the present represents determination and strength, sociality).

The tail of the hammerhead shark is made of waves going backwards (past difficulties), turning onwards later on to show a positive change started again with his closest friends and family (the braid motif representing family union was shaped in several different ways to symbolize the diversities and peculiarities inside of his family).

Two main elements along this path are a lion to show his fighter spirit and a sea shell on the other side representing intimacy, love and sexuality, with korus representing new beginnings.

On the shoulder, the back fin of the shark was made from a Marquesan cross to symbolize that balance is what allowed him to reach his new status and personality.

The hammerhead shark motif encloses an octopus motif to symbolize a smart, curious and adaptive spirit. More elements recalling the octopus are spread throughout the whole design for his great curiosity.

The spear heads on the shoulder blade and the braid nearby symbolize his family that always backed him and helped him fighting adversities.

Going onto the pec, birds symbolize freedom, travelling and watching the world from a higher perspective whilst the fact they are in a row represents Ole´s will to bring this way to self improvement to others too.

A tiki watches on his future, being a strong symbol of protection and fertility.


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 Comments:
 i love this 
  by BrittBrat
 If you have a request, send it from this link instead: custom request. 

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