2006-12-12 15:07:41 · 12 answers · asked by mattyg61 2 in Beauty & Style ➔ Skin & Body ➔ Tattoos
It depends, everyone I know with polynesian tattoo's, myself included, have been interviewed by the artist to see whether or not we were right to carry it. You have to respect the beliefs and customs of the polynesians then it will be alright. But a word of advice, every polynesian tattoo means something, they are not merely symbols. Make sure your artist knows about the culture and does not just copy something out of a book, that is disrespecful.
2006-12-12 15:11:09 · answer #1 · answered by J. R 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, you can do what you want to, but don't be surprised if the tattoo artist warns you about it. Mimicking another culture, especially a right of passage, will be viewed as a big insult.
And in the Samoan culture, those tattoos actually mean something. Kind of like a hieroglyph. Most tattoo artists have no clue what they mean. For all you know, you might be putting "I'm a big moron!!!" right across your arm, and never know it.
You have any idea how many people are walking around with Chinese symbols that mean something COMPLETELY different than what they thought.
2006-12-12 15:10:35 · answer #2 · answered by FRANKFUSS 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you get a tattoo of a god, then would you be concerned if you got all dirty and smelly if that would be disrespectful to the god. I don't know. Maybe they'd appreciate your toil or maybe they'd find it offensive like pouring waste on a statue or picture. If in doubt, go with something less divine. Maybe like a holy symbol of a god instead of his/her face. If there's any risk of infection, don't get a tattoo. It depends on where you live, but some places have strict licensing laws to keep tattoo parlours clean and safe.
2016-03-13 06:19:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't think it's disrespectful but i do think that it is very played out for people of other ethnicities to copy others for no reason. does that culture have any significant meaning in your life? is there a reason you want to get it? it just seems like there are so many other tattoo options out there that would make more sense. but if your heart is set on a native samoan tattoo... i guess go for it.
2006-12-12 15:52:31 · answer #4 · answered by somebody's a mom!! 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I wouldn't think so. I'm Tahitian, and I was told by my father that as a Tahitian, it is our culture to get a tattoo, it represents who you are. I don't know if other Polynesian cultures does the same, but if there's Something you do that represents that culture, like if you do the music, dancing, etc. I think it wouldn't be disrespectful.
2013-11-24 10:44:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I did the same searching a while back. So many ppl do it that are not polynesian these days. I ended up designing a cross breed of somoa and maury (sp?) with some other modern tribal.
I'm a 6' 300lb mexican with tibals on my back already. I guess some would be able to "get away with it" better than others. Good luck with that.
2006-12-12 15:51:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
i sure hope not!!!! hehe.
i am an owner of about 5 tattoos that include japense/kanji symbols but i am in NO way of any asian ethnicity...
if it means something to YOU personally... i'd say go for it. doesn't matter what ethnicity it comes up.. deep down, we're all the same anyway :)
good luck to you.
2006-12-14 05:30:39 · answer #7 · answered by Christina 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would think it's the opposite.
I would feel honored that some other culture was being respectful of an artform of my culture. But that's just me.
2006-12-13 00:36:23 · answer #8 · answered by Oz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well yes and samoans are big so watch out for who sees it youll never know if some one wants to just beat ur *** for no reason
2006-12-12 20:43:05 · answer #9 · answered by Tig 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
From where the tattoo culture originated! Nope.
2006-12-12 15:35:27 · answer #10 · answered by up14 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋