This mixed Polynesian half sleeve and pec tattoo was prepared for
David.
It integrates a tattoo he had with the names of his children
in Arabic adding the name of his wife in the same style all woven into
their story.
Instead of being a single continuous design it is split into 4 well
separated parts: the shoulder and outer arm, the armband, the pec, and a
bit on the shoulder blade.
This allowed to keep the shoulder and outer arm part shaped as a
mere, which is a symbol representing a chief, a leader, honor, and
respect, and we placed a row of people inside of it, each one different
from the other, with a Marquesan cross above them and a net below to
symbolize how harmony between all cultures (all different people) is the
way to bring prosperity and peace to them (coconut leaves shaping a sun,
and the net).
Shark teeth and octopus tentacles are symbols of strength and
adaptability.
The tiki on the back is for protection and there are a lizard and a hammerhead shark on the sides of the arm embracing the names of his children.
A turtle is central on the pec, surrounded by a braid symbolizing
family unity showing the importance of family, with a couple holding and
protecting three smaller people in the center, symbolizing their
children.
Flax leaves are for family unity and tiki hands for protection.
Ancestors guard from above, and around the turtle there are elements representing family and closest friends, prosperity (trochus shells, fish), strength and adaptability (spearheads, centipede, shark teeth), teachings (stepping stones) and support always granted to the loved ones (chasing birds).
The colored image below shows the main elements within the tattoo: