This Polynesian half sleeve tattoo was designed for Kevin to represent how his family helped him recover from a bad accident.
It is represented centrally by the turtle on the shoulder and by the
flax leaves at the base, while the part on the left, on the back of the
arm, represents the accident in the past, with the fa'atigipusa pattern
and thorns representing pain, and the path of Kamehameha symbolizing the
challenges faced after that.
His family joined around him (the braid with 5 people in it) and gave
him the strength to overcome it all (spearheads and octopus tentacles
for strength, tenacity, and adaptability).
The chasing birds symbolize help always granted to the loved ones, and
this led to a new start that brought joy to the family again (the sun
shaped like a koru around the turtle).
The turtle herself includes the couple, the braid for union, a manta
with a Marquesan cross for freedom and serenity, a lizard is for
protection, and a hammerhead shark for tenacity, strength, and
determination.
Going onto the right side of the armband, present and future, the
couple supports the children among the new stability found (the
mountains).
The ahuahu o Mataora below the couple symbolizes physical and mental
strength to face any challenge.
The two tiki on the sides are for protection from every direction,
and the all-seeing eye on top is to keep all evil away.
On its sides, the opposing waves in the past (adversities) become
smaller going into the present, while favorable waves (positive changes)
become bigger going into the future.
The Tahitian word paretai indicates a place of refuge in the sea, a shelter in troubled waters.
The colored image below shows the main elements within the tattoo: