What Do The Samoan Tattoos Mean

Samoan tattoos, also known as the “tatau,” are a part of an important Samoan cultural tradition and have held spiritual and practical meaning for centuries. The tattoo is usually done with a manual “tatau tool” that consists of a short stick with several small, dulled points attached to a wooden handle. The Samoan tattoo has spiritual significance and conveys the strength, bravery and wealth of the wearer. The patterns and designs of the tattoo may also indicate the wearer’s social standing and tribal role. Additionally, tattoos play an important role in Samoan healing rituals, as they symbolize the closeness of life and death, and the process of overcoming grief and pain.