Polynesian Tattooing

The speaker that came to class this past tuesday was very interesting. Her presentation on the techniques and styles that the native hawaiians had tattooed was also interesting.  It was also nice learn about the people in the presentation and how they drew inspiration from past native hawaiians tattoos for their own design.  I already knew that people have tattoos of animals and other things that represent their ancestors, but I didn't know that there were tattoos for mourning and other representations such as fertility.  I have a couple of friends who have hawaiian style tattoos, where the designs represent their ancestors or have other meanings that are unique to native hawaiians.  They often say that when they see people who get it because it looks cool, they get offended.  After the presentation, I can now see why, especially if it represents something sacred or some one's ancestor.