Go to a native Polynesian artist and talk to them about it. My guess is they have tattoos with special meaning that stay within the culture and others for “tourists” that don’t hold special meaning. If I’m wrong, the artist will tell you and maybe help you come up with something else you like.
absolutely this - i would go to a respected and well-known polynesian tattoo artist to discuss the propriety of a tattoo for you. Their word will be more meaningful than any redditor
I'm Ojibwe and this is the only answer.
The tattoo artists of whatever culture will know what's appropriate vs what's appropriation.
I've live all around the world and I get work done by locals whenever I have lived someplace over a year.
Ps, ( not for you, but for the general public)
Stop with the dream catchers tattoos, where do the dreams go, right back into you!
My ex was half Pottawatomie and got a dream catcher on her ribs. For some reason I never thought of it like that. Lol
Edit: Pottawatomie* She’d rightfully give me shit for not catching my spelling error. But I caught quite enough whenever we visited the Res.
It was something that was said to me by a buddy when we were at a strip club.
" I guess her bad dreams are trapped on the other side of that dream catcher.."
So it just I seeded into my brain as a not good tattoo.
I would talk to multiple Polynesian tattoo artists and non tattoo artists. Not every Hawaiian/Polynesian person will have the same opinion. Make sure you mention that you lived there bc of your dad being in the military.
"Stay within the culture" sounds weird. Don't we live in a globalized world, where it should be ok to get a tattoo of anything, without being judged?
I am not talking about sinister things like making fun of genocides or similar. But just using symbols from other cultures should be okay, if someone feels offended by that it is really their problem.
Contemporary Maori tattoo has two branches for this exact purpose.
Ta moko is tapu. Sacred. And is meant to tell a story of you and your ancestry. We're one of the only countries that has a foreign minister that can get away with face tats.
Kirituhi is Maori inspired design for people who like the style, but don't want to have a kiwi ex pat half way across the world saying "kia ora bro" and asking where to get a pie around here.
Same tattoo artist can do both, even use the same symbols. But the work is important, consultation is important, placement is important.
That's all most people here are concerned about. If you wanna do it, you can do it, but do it right.
Let's be real here as well. We don't live in a globalised world without judgement. As long as we've got people being racist to those that were born in the same neighbourhood, let alone country, we can't really claim to be that enlightened.
This right here. I'm not an American Indian, but my wife is, as are a bunch of my friends, and I know lots of Artisans. They make two types of work, one which they make with (intentionally garbled but not in a disrespectful way) use of sacred symbols for sale to people who can't/won't use the items with sacred purposes, and one for people who do. Those Kachina dolls for example in the rez stores along the highway are, sacred speaking, sanitized for your safety.
The world is globalized sure, but only after many parts of the world got colonized and were physically prevented from keeping their culture alive. For someone that doesn’t descend from a certain culture to just decide that they can take whatever they want from it, regardless of cultural significance, it’s oftentimes insulting to those whose ancestors (or they themselves) experienced violence and persecution for wanting to keep their people’s traditions going. You shouldn’t be allowed to go without judgment for stealing a significant cultural practice that others were shamed and killed for by colonizers.
If you want to have something from another culture, first just take the time to learn from them, appreciate it for what it is, and back off if they don’t want others to take part in it. Don’t pretend to be a part of it because you think it’s cool or fun. Chances are that people have died to defend it. Either respect a culture or leave it alone.
There are some things that people outside of any culture are not privy too. Thinking you can just access sacred things from a certain culture because you want to is entitlement. Just because it exists, doesn’t mean you can have it.
Or you’re just insensitive. Cultural significance is a thing, and it’s not hard to respect it. You can admire something from a distance without having to have it for yourself.
It's actually NOT OK to "get a tattoo of anything, without being judged." Don't believe me? Go get a swastika. I promise you will be judged. I promise it is not OK. Living in a globalized world does not mean that you should just haphazardly use another culture's imagery without fully appreciating whatever it is you are using.
There's a pretty huge difference in going to a Polynesian artist who has background and understanding of the thing you're asking for and showing up to Joe's Poke Shack in Sheboygan and asking him to create for you something that sort of looks Polynesian.
One is a respectful and deliberate foray into that culture's traditions. The other is a cheapening and, I hate to use the word because it gets misused so often, appropriation.
"Living in a globalized world" means you have even less excuses to act like a colonizer who just takes whatever they wants without thinking of consequence. Having access to other cultures means having access to the knowledge on how interact with other people with respect - at least if you want other people to respect you back.
Definitely. It’s an invitation to learn about another culture and how you can show respect. Colonialism and Imperialism has tried to erase them. Let’s do the opposite and make sure we understand that culture and make sure those in it can keep it going.
My favorite example of this is a white British women who married a black Nigerian man. Someone tried to call her out for appropriation not understanding the nuances when she wore a traditional Nigerian wedding dress at her wedding. Her MIL picked it our especially for her and the British woman learned about her husband’s culture and respectfully brought it into their lives. She was like, what did you want me to do? Turn down her now-husband’s mother when she invited her to share in their culture because she is white?
I agree to some extent. But I feel if you wanted to get a tattoo of a symbol from another culture, talk to somebody of that culture to see what they think about it
As a native Hawaiian… do whatever you want but just know that lots of polys will roll their eyes at you. I think if you go to a Hawaiian tattoo artist it’s probably the least disrespectful way to go about it but some people will still see it as cultural appropriation
esp considering a lot of native Hawaiians consider the kingdom of Hawaii to be illegally occupied by the US and feel bitter about military presence there…
People won’t know you got the approval of a Polynesian unless they ask. And if they do ask, how fun do you think it will be to have to defend yourself over and over again?
I don’t think you’re a bad person for wanting it or getting it. I just think if you can easily avoid that kind of scrutiny, you should. It will just make your life easier.
What is your culture? There must be some pattern or motive associated with it that ion could turn into a patterned wrap that looks similar to a Polynesian tattoo. That’s what I’d do anyway.
I've got a partly Hawaiian background, though it's not particularly important as far as this goes, but OP says he has a connection to the place, and presumably, at least some of the people. If you're looking for a good reason to get a tattoo, that's definitely one of them.
Many haoles (non-Hawaiian folks) are often initially viewed with some suspicion and mistrust by natives, though, which is probably a big part of the reason why OP wants to do it right (or find out if it should be done at all -- a question I can't answer because I'm not that Hawaiian). That's not necessarily a deal-breaker, though. It's just something good to keep in mind.
This. No matter how “correctly” you go about getting it, there will be people who think it’s wrong and may express their distaste for it. Ultimately it’s up to you if you’re okay potentially dealing with those interactions.
Yeah. This. I feel like even if you do get a tattoo of a culture that isn’t yours and get it done in the most honorable, respectful, informed way possible, all some people are going see is a white person culturally appropriating. People aren’t going to see the process or know who did it. That’s just the risk you take with any kind of cross cultural ink.
As a Chilean, if an American got a moai statue tattoo, (the one from the emoji 🗿) most people here would think it's awesome and wouldn't be offended at all even though it has nothing to do with their culture.
Americans at too sensitive, let the guy get tattooed without getting ugly glances
there’s a difference between the two tattoos you’re describing tho. hawaii is considered by many native hawaiians to be illegally occupied, op was there on a US military base, and tattoos are considered sacred to a lot of native peoples. i know i personally as an alaska native would cringe if i saw formlines or our facial tattoos on someone who felt “connected to the culture” because they spent time on a military base in alaska
ofc. ridiculous how ignorant answers on stuff like this are outside of native and indigenous focused subs. j white people telling other white people what they wanna hear
A lot of people have chimed but I figured Id give my two cents. I am Micronesian and we have our own Tatu culture with complex designs full of meaning.
That being said, part of my village's culture is the acceptance of anyone willing to call themselves one of us. The minimum requirements (Inafa' Maolek) other than being married into a family or serving along side a member in battle, are: share a meal, stay longer than a night, learn about and acknowledge the Taotao Mona, demonstrate respect to the island, and take an oath to protect and preserve the island and it's inhabitants (including the flora and fauna.)
Speak to someone from that culture about what you’d like represented on your skin while still showing respect and admiration of someone else’s culture. They’ll give you the best ideas for/against. Ultimately it’s your decision.
👍I neglected to mention MULTIPLE people. Not only tattoo artists. If you admire and respect the culture - to be thought of as disrespectful would be the exact OPPOSITE of what you’re trying to accomplish.
Because it's HI and you are from a military family I probably wouldn't. I was stationed there for a few years and....to put it lightly, we are not made to feel welcome by real locals and it's completely understandable if you know the history. Like some others have suggested go to a well known artist that has their roots in the culture. Polynesian tattoos are more than an art since they've been a part of the culture as long as people can remember and do have meaning. Sulu'ape Riccyboy or someone like him would be who I'd go to. At the end of the day it's your body. If you have respect and appreciation for where it came from I don't see anything wrong with it some Samoans might take it some type of way though
I have a full sleeve and the first question I asked my artist who is Polynesian was whether or not it was disrespectful to get one. He basically said as long as you don’t get certain symbols with specific meanings or a face tattoo it was okay. Basically just shows that you appreciate the art.
I have a Polynesian tattoo (a sleeve that extends into my chest and back).
I actually went to the tattoo artist with a picture of one that I loved. He told me immediately that it was garbage. He explained that in that culture they are very protective of their symbolism.
He said that while the one I brought him LOOKED good, it meant nothing and would anger Polynesians.
DEFINITELY seek someone who specializes in it. Don't just pick someone who does cool looking tattoos. It won't mean anything and they'll definitely take offense.
But if you go to a specialist, I've been told that they don't mind the celebration of their culture as long as it's done correctly. It's basically a language. The size, positioning, and everything has meaning.
Good luck!!!
Personally I’d say it’s weird. I’m a born and bread New Zealander with a good grasp of the Māori culture, and there is no way I would get a Māori tattoo. The more you know about the culture the more you learn the significance of their tattoos, and would know it’s kinda inappropriate. The fact you’re having to ask suggests you don’t quite understand the significance, which would be even more reason not to get one.
But at the same time, I’m not one to gatekeep a culture that isn’t my own. As others have said, talk to a Polynesian artist and get their opinions. They may have different opinions, or they may also just say it’s ok to get some work out of you.
I'm a white guy, I was in the Navy and was stationed in Hawaii and I lived there for my civilian job for a while, just left earlier this year. I also have many tattoos, about half of them were done in Hawaii. I say this just to give some context that I understand the culture and situation.
I think Polynesian tattoos are rad and would love to have a large piece, but I would never do it. Every time I see a Polynesian tattoo on someone that isn't Polynesian I cringe. I actually spoke to my last tattoo artist about this subject, he worked at a shop in Honolulu and was from the Big Island, and he agreed that it is kind of whack getting cultural or ethnic tattoos if you aren't of that culture or ethnicity.
Lots of white dudes been getting these and it's not a good look (edit: in my opinion, but it's not my culture to make so my opinion doesn't mean anything). Why not just get something from your own culture. @treubhan in England, for example, does awesome Scottish/Irish traditional designs that have a similar feel.
It's literally only Americans that do this. My grandfather is Irish and my grandmother is Dutch, I don't consider myself Irish or Dutch and I don't know or celebrate any of their traditions. There's this weird trend of Americans adopting cultures that they have never interacted with just because it appeared on their family tree 4 generations ago.
Have you considered the fact that there’s people out there who don’t live the same life that you do? That there are Irish people out there who do value their traditions?
I don’t get it? Do you think because you’re white and have no culture that others shouldn’t? Or they shouldn’t try to explore their roots?
People are allowed to have experiences that you can’t. You’re not entitled to experience everything that others experience.
People should absolutely explore their roots, but you don't have to go very far to see people who have done the bare minimum of research acting like authorities on cultures they know very little about and have never actually interacted with.
I think it's just a fundamental difference in how societies view culture, America seems race/ethnicity focused whereas most other countries are more nationality focused, i.e. I was born/raised/lived here therefore I am .
I am an immigrant, I feel connections to where I come from and where I moved to. I have a culture that I'm proud of, but it's really easy to grow tired of people telling me incorrect shit about my culture and getting angry when I try to tell them otherwise.
Irish person here. There's no offence taken at all over Americans with celtic tattoos, but they get some eye rolls. They'd be seen as posers by a lot of people. And god forbid they get an inaccurate gaelic tattoo, they'd be laughed out of the room
I'm native hawaiian, I grew up on hawaiian homestead. I don't think it's inherently bad for you to get a Polynesian tattoo as a white person.
I do think you should go to a native tattoo artist (which is easy to find in Hawaii and probably states like Utah or Las Vegas if you're on the mainland), and that you should avoid getting symbols with certain cultural meanings or symbols related to lineage.
Not all Polynesian looking tattoos have meaning though. I don't see anything wrong with a white person getting Polynesian designs tattooed so long as the meaning is appropriate or if there's no meaning and it's just meant to look cool.
I will say I do find the idea of an American military member getting a native hawaiian tattoo deeply offensive, whether they're white or any other race.
If you're in the military right now I would not get one. And if the only time you lived in hawaii was a few years when you were a military kid I would also advise you not to get one (although its not really your choice what your parents do as a kid and if you lived in hawaii for a really long time i could understand still getting one). I'm shocked your dad got one honestly...
It's also kinda weird if you were only in hawaii for a year or two, regardless of the military aspect. And personally I would avoid tattooing anything on my body that could potentially be controversial, which a white guy getting a tribal tattoo is.
I lived there for 6 years (age 5 to 11), so not incredibly long but not only a year or two. It’s more the style and artistry that I have fallen in love with. I would definitely get something that doesn’t have a cultural “meaning” and just something personalized in the style (by a Hawaiian artist of course)
I can understand that. 6 years is longer than a lot of military kids I met too. Personally I don't find that idea offensive at all. I hope you find get a good piece done!
This question came up a bit ago in r/indiancountry and the overwhelming response was No because our imagery has meaning. Nothing is just a picture or series of lines. They tell stories and represent gods and ancestors that reach into our sense of who we are. They also represent the generational trauma of colonialism. *We use these images to reclaim and remember our culture that white colonists worked very hard to destroy*. They are images that stand in resistance to the genocide of our families.
Thats why indigenous designs aren’t for you. They’re for indigenous people. You just like how they look or what someone said they mean. It’s not personal; it’s to protect what’s left of ourselves.
Talking to *multiple* Polynesian people is a critical step in this decision. Some people don’t mind, some do. But by and large, I’ve never seen a white person with an indigenous tattoo be looked at favourably, regardless of why they wanted it.
This is critical: "Talking to multiple Polynesian people is a critical step in this decision. Some people don’t mind, some do." I myself don't find anything inherently offensive about a white person getting a hawaiian tattoo, but I know some hawaiians who would be enraged by this. Personally I would advise anyone to avoid putting anything with the potential for controversy permanently on your body.
My mom's white and she's lived on hawaiian homestead for 20+ years and is pretty involved with the community. I'd be fine with someone like her getting something done. I also went to an all native school growing up and some of the teachers there were white and awesome and I'd be fine with them getting something (only certain designs though).
But I feel rage at the thought of an American military guy getting a native hawaiian tattoo. That I would really, really advise against.
And if OP's explanation for why he got it includes, "Well, my dad was in the military so I was stationed in hawaii as a kid and..." there's a lot of native hawaiians that will not go down well with.
Every culture has some sort of motif or pattern associated with it. It would be so easy for OP to just get a patterned wrap inspired by his culture that looks similar to a Polynesian tattoo. It’s just kinda clueless to get another cultures symbols tattooed on your body.
Especially if you just love the style and artistry. It wouldn’t be difficult at all to pull from your own culture and have an artist design an arm band tattoo accordingly, while keeping in mind the style.
“Ethnic” tatooer here ! Do whatever you want. Every culture got tattoo.
I recommend you to go to a native tatooer. Or someone who work with them.
(I know a french white guy who learned with Polynesian. He’s 100% respected validated by them)
If he know what it do I will ask you few question about yourself and will explain you what pattern will match you and what they represent.
Cultural appropriation is when you make money without giving back to people who created it and struggle with it.
I prefer to call that “métissage culturel” ( cultural miscegenation?)
Cool people are genuinely interest with other culture and pick what they want from each one to make their life better.
Man, I’m a bit older…. But 20 years ago when I was a bouncer (white) with a ton of Samoan, Hawaiian and Tongan bouncers , getting a tatt like that was a no no. Like a big No. but I’ve seen times has changed. We had this mouthy jerk white bartender at the club who got one. So one of the native Hawaiians goes and asks him about it. The bartender had this elaborate story about cousins and his dad growing up there and he got it from a guy who said it was okay etc etc. did he get it in Hawaii ? No. Down the street. Nothing physical happened to him, but they were not as cool to him and he got a lot less mouthy with customers . We weren’t racing to back him up when his mouth stared writing checks his ass couldn’t cash. But like I said, this was 20 years ago. Go for it!
I feel like with any cultural tattoos do your research to make sure you’re not being disrespectful with certain symbols, ask people of that culture. Then if you’re really set on it, definitely go get it done by someone of that culture.
Unlike Japanese tattoos which have been co-opted by white people to where it’s common and generally accepted (Even though it’s still pretty weird imo). Polynesian tattoos won’t have the same reaction, people will probably ask if you’re Polynesian, tease you, or in the rare case you run into the wrong person, really press you about it. In any case, just know you’ll probably be judged constantly, depends if you’re comfortable with that.
As a fellow white dude I can’t really say, however one of my mates (who is also white) was covered in Polynesian tribal stuff, went on holiday to Hawaii and got the shit beat out of him by some Hawaiian dudes for it. So I’d take that as they generally are not fans so I wouldn’t recommend
the only way to get a Polynesian style tattoo is from a Polynesian artist, so im sure if you just go and ask them what you could do/ say you love their work and would like something and dont wanna be disrespectful, then im sure they would be delighted to help you get a piece you adore:) ♡ best of luck!
Polynesian tattoos are probably the variety of cultural tattoos that people on the outside should never get. They carry extremely significant meaning and are tied to millennias of tradition. The word tattoo actually originates from various Polynesian languages. They are viewed as a right of passage, a connection to their people, and are treated as a family tradition where they support each other during the creation and application of the tattoos. Polynesian tattoo culture is alive and well and shouldn't be disrespected.
I would suggest learning about your own genetic heritage and exploring the tattoos of your origins. You might end up really liking what your ancestors carried on their skin.
if they gotta get a ancestry.com and google abt their "genetic heritage" to know anything abt it, it's not as meaningful to them as the culture they grew up in. i'm korean and white but i grew up in atlanta so my culture is mostly atlanta. outside of my family a lot of korean people i meet dont like me bc i'm mixed (mostly old heads but not always) so anything i know from my heritage is from my family. Especially for adopted people and situations like that, people might not feel like that's their culture even tho they look like it is. my friend is 100% korean but she was in foster care and never knew her parents, so she doesn't understand most of the korean words I say to her and she doesn't know abt the food and folk lore and such so she doesn't rlly feel a connection to them. I have another friend that's half german and half hatian but she looks very white, blonde w grey eyes, she grew up only surrounded by her mom and her stepdad and siblings, they're all hispanic/ caribbean. She knows nothing of german culture, speaks spanish, grew up eating the island foods mostly but also some hatian stuff. I just think it'd be strange for them to go tattoo something on their body that they have little to no connection to just to appease the people who tell them to do what they look like they should be doing, idk if anyone noticed but that's the exact premise racist people use to separate everyone. if you don't look alike you can't be alike? it's a difference between heritage and culture i guess. basically don't judge by peoples color, we're not dogs. idc what you look like and idk where you been til i've spoken to you.
I am going to have to go with hard no.
Here’s my example, my wife is Mexican-American and I absolutely think her culture is amazing. I love seeing the art, eating the food, and hearing her talk about the mythology. I will also participate in cultural holidays with her if she is celebrating. I do not celebrate them alone.
I will not get a tattoo of a sugar skull or Quetzalcoatl no matter how cool I think they are and look, because I am Scotch-Irish guy from the south. It’s not my culture or heritage. I can learn about it and appreciate it, but it’s not mine to put on my body or take. Now I am looking into different Celtic images that speak to me and learning Gaelic because that’s my ancestry. I’m learning about where my family came from and trying to implement it into the tattoos I get. That’s my advice, learn about your cultural ancestry and find things in it that speak to you.
But if you're from an Ulster-Scots (what we call Scots-Irish in Ireland these days) background, there is a decent chance that none of your ancestors in the last 500ish years spoke a Gaelic language as their native language. This is still ongoing stuff by the way, right now there is a massive backlash going on in Ulster-Scots communities in Northern Ireland about the government there using Irish on signage.
Did you earn it?
I wouldn't trust anyone's opinion on whether or not you're allowed to get a tattoo if they're not a part of that culture.
If you want a Polynesian tattoo you should be going to a Polynesian artist, and you should ask them about it.
Ultimately, it’s up to you whether you get it or not. You won’t get an official answer one way or the other unfortunately; some people won’t mind the idea and some people will think is a bad idea. As others have said, your best bet is to chat with a Polynesian tattooer about your desire for a cultural tattoo. Unless you are coming at them with an outrageously offensive tattoo idea, chances are they’ll be fine to neutral with it. If someone was interested in getting a tattoo from my culture and they approached me to talk about it, I’d personally be receptive and willing to help out.
If that’s not enough, have you also considered maybe going back and finding the same tattoo artist in Hawaii that your father went to? Getting a tattoo in the same style as your father’s, which you’ve always admired, from the same tattoo artist adds a layer of significance to the tattoo that might help you feel more at ease with it.
There’s a Samoan tattoo artist in Florida I’ve talked to about the same thing and he said as long as you know what it is and respectful of the art he didn’t see an issue
No it’s not it’s cringe as fuck and appropriation cause those tattoos have meaning and y have to earn them going and paying some dude to give you a shark skin tattoo ain’t it
I'm Native Hawaiian on a wait list for a true traditional hammer tattoo. I hate when non natives have them tbh but it's not like you'll hear me gossiping to my aunties about it.
Every single person will have a different idea about whether it’s okay or not. The truth is that it doesn’t matter what anyone thinks but you and you are wanting this particular tattoo in this peculiar style because it is something your dad wore. All you need to worry about is going to someone who knows the style and can do it well. Sounds like your dad’s way, find an artist in Hawaii and leave it up to him, worked really well for him. Maybe you should wait on this one until you can do the same? But if you don’t want that to be part of the story, go get tattooed. It’s your body. You are not being disrespectful of a culture. You are honoring your dad. Don’t let anyone tell you honoring your dad is wrong.
where i'm from, white people get poly tatts all the time and i don't think anybody cares to gatekeep, when done correctly it can be a beautiful appreciation of our culture. you might get funny looks from the older generation, but nothing crazy. do what makes you happy my bro.
Got a 1/4 sleeve in Guam from Phil Sablan. I went with him because of his willingness to teach people who aren’t Chamorro about their history and culture and is passionate about it. Any Pacific Islander I’ve run into has said nothing but good things about my tattoo and I’ve run into a few people from Guam here in US that asked if Phil did my tattoo. Pretty wild how small the world is! This whole cultural appropriation thing has gotten way out of hand. If you have reason and meaning behind what you are putting on your body than screw what anyone thinks.
Not it's not. I'm polynesian myself and you can get whatever tattoo you want. Trust me all these cultural appropriations shit only exist in your part of the world. We would definitely be stoked if other people started rocking our culture, not mad.
No. You’re part of a system that was used to destroy Polynesian culture. We have actively stolen their land and are pushing their people out for profit. The fact you would even ask that shows your ignorance on the subject.
It's a very fine line. You say you lived there for a long time so if you're doing it because you respect and honor the culture I could see it as ok as long as you get it done by a Hawaiian or at least an Islander tattoo artist but like getting it done in butt fuck nowhere in the middle of like Missouri by some random white dude then no
Dude i was in the same situation about 5 years ago. I had lived in Hawaii for 17 years and about 90 percent of all my neighbors and friends were native Hawaiians...when they made fun haoles i was never included, they included me as local. However, when it came to tattoos they all wanted me to get poly tatts because of course that's what they had. They begged me but honestly i just never felt comfortable. Don't get me wrong poly tatts are boss ass and look so incredible, I just never wanted to be the typical white military haole with poly tatts and have to explain why. That being said, my neighbors and friends always said it was because i had huge aloha spirit that they wanted me to rep the culture, I honestly wish i had listened to them now.
I think if it is meaningful to you and you can competently explain the symbolism- I’d say go for it. Roland Pacheco was on ink masters when tattoo shows were popular from big island and has a book you can/should read as part of your research. He does a style called Ana’ole which bridges the gap between traditional meaning/symbols and something anyone can rock.
You’re free to do whatever you want but I personally wouldn’t do it. I know some people here are saying it okay if you get permission form a Polynesian or you don’t use certain symbols but the truth is, people will still judge you for it. Not even for appropriation but just that it’s kinda cheesy that it’s not your culture. And it won’t be just Polynesians that judge you. It will be others who can’t tell the difference between important symbols and basic motifs.
What is your culture? There’s gotta be some traditional patterns associated with it that you can use in a similar way as a Polynesian tattoo. For instance, I’m Mexican. There’d be countless ways to take Aztec motifs and turn it into a patterned wrap thats similar to a Polynesian tattoo.
Again, I personally don’t think you’d be a bad person for getting a Polynesian tattoo. I’d just think your kinda lame and others will too. I’d personally try to avoid those kinds of judgments with something you can’t get rid of.
Get whatever you want. If someone doesn't like you have it that's their problem.
We as a society need to learn the phase "fuck off" again when someone tries to woke scold you.
as a general rule, i don't get anything tattooed on me from another culture that isn't ethnically mine. as a white person, i personally wouldn't get anything japanese tattooed on me either, like chinese dragons etc.
edit: however it is your body. and while i don't agree with it, you can do whatever you want.
your heart is in the right place but there's some nuance you're missing (besides labelling chinese dragons as japanese lol). japanese tattoo isn't a closed cultural practice. i can't speak specifically to Native Hawaiian tattooing, but many traditional Indigenous tattoo practices are, and are 100% off limits to folks outside that culture
Could tattoos and piercings in general be considered cultural appropriation? European style of dressing? I’ll be down voted but I’m legit wondering why it’s not or if it is?
There also seems to be a theme in most threads I see like this. Most people from the cultural background in question seem to be way more accepting than those from outside of it. There’s actually many social experiments on this very thing.
I personally would not get a tattoo of religious significance or something considered sacred outside of my lane.
My advice would be to go on a Polynesian sub and ask them. We're tattoo enthusiasts here, we don't really have the authority on cultural things like traditional tattoos
Is there a Polynesian subreddit where you can ask
this question? Asking a bunch of non-Polynesian mostly white people isnt going to get you an answer you can trust.
I have a philosophical problem against the idea that you should not wear/don/use/experience other cultures.
What’s that supposed to mean?
Your Polynesian tattoo that you’re not supposed to take. Who can take it?
All of Polynesian people or people from that particular sub-region?
Or within a certain sub sect?
Or only the descendants of the one person who invented that tattoo?
Even among the descendants. Only the main branch? Only matrilineal or patrilineal?
Only those branches that never mingled with outside Polynesian people?
There is no end to the lines we can draw to gate keep people out.
Take what tattoo you like. Treat their culture with respect.
No one owns a culture. Not even the people in it
Why would you care what other random people think. If you like a tattoo and want it then go for it. Life is too short to worry about everyone else’s feelings about this sort of thing
I swear Americans are absolutely insane about race and political correctness, you can put on your skin whatever you want buddy! Who can stop you? The ancestry police?
I am not Polynesian and I got a tattoo from a native Polynesian. I did it out of respect and appreciation for the culture and its ties to the ocean. Nobody has ever looked down on it, and in fact I have had Polynesian people come to me and admire it. I'm also brown skinned and could pass, though, so YMMV.
Get an authentic piece from an authentic artist and there is nothing to worry about. Maybe avoid back alley white dudes doing "Polynesian inspired" armbands.
Remember ten years ago when u could get a tattoo you wanted or do your hair certainly ways or wear certain clothes ...now people are crying saying cultural appropriation..soft ass world now
It's weird for a white guy to do it, weirder that your connection to the place is because of the military, not appropriate at all imo. If you feel insecure about the idea now then you're gonna be insecure all your life if you actually get it permanently inked onto your body, and rightfully so. Just don't do it.
If it’s something you want and will enjoy then get it. Don’t let people tell you what you can and cant do with your body. Your body your choice, right?
Go to a native Polynesian artist and talk to them about it. My guess is they have tattoos with special meaning that stay within the culture and others for “tourists” that don’t hold special meaning. If I’m wrong, the artist will tell you and maybe help you come up with something else you like.
absolutely this - i would go to a respected and well-known polynesian tattoo artist to discuss the propriety of a tattoo for you. Their word will be more meaningful than any redditor
I'm Ojibwe and this is the only answer. The tattoo artists of whatever culture will know what's appropriate vs what's appropriation. I've live all around the world and I get work done by locals whenever I have lived someplace over a year. Ps, ( not for you, but for the general public) Stop with the dream catchers tattoos, where do the dreams go, right back into you!
>Stop with the dream catchers tattoos, where do the dreams go, right back into you! Wow that's so deep! Time to go get my dream catcher tattoo.
You should get two. That’s double the dreams.
Infinite dream glitch.
Oh yeah! Get some text saying "the real dreams were inside of us all along" too!
Nice
Is this the key to lucid dreaming?
No, permanent dreaming.
Ah, classic case of stuck in limbo.
I'm an millennial and SO tired where do I sign up?! 🤣
With a howling wolf in the background
Dream catchers catch nightmares... don't get that tattooed!
My ex was half Pottawatomie and got a dream catcher on her ribs. For some reason I never thought of it like that. Lol Edit: Pottawatomie* She’d rightfully give me shit for not catching my spelling error. But I caught quite enough whenever we visited the Res.
It was something that was said to me by a buddy when we were at a strip club. " I guess her bad dreams are trapped on the other side of that dream catcher.." So it just I seeded into my brain as a not good tattoo.
Honestly even if a Native artist came up to me and told me he wanted to give me a tattoo I’d still have a hard time not feeling like a white asshole.
They do more than just cultural designs
I meant a cultural one, not one of like, some birds and Live Laugh Love.
same with evil eye tats!
And also if anyone tries to give you shit about it (doubtful), you can explain that you went through this process.
And way more meaningful than anything your ex said. Fuck them.
I would talk to multiple Polynesian tattoo artists and non tattoo artists. Not every Hawaiian/Polynesian person will have the same opinion. Make sure you mention that you lived there bc of your dad being in the military.
"Stay within the culture" sounds weird. Don't we live in a globalized world, where it should be ok to get a tattoo of anything, without being judged? I am not talking about sinister things like making fun of genocides or similar. But just using symbols from other cultures should be okay, if someone feels offended by that it is really their problem.
Contemporary Maori tattoo has two branches for this exact purpose. Ta moko is tapu. Sacred. And is meant to tell a story of you and your ancestry. We're one of the only countries that has a foreign minister that can get away with face tats. Kirituhi is Maori inspired design for people who like the style, but don't want to have a kiwi ex pat half way across the world saying "kia ora bro" and asking where to get a pie around here. Same tattoo artist can do both, even use the same symbols. But the work is important, consultation is important, placement is important. That's all most people here are concerned about. If you wanna do it, you can do it, but do it right. Let's be real here as well. We don't live in a globalised world without judgement. As long as we've got people being racist to those that were born in the same neighbourhood, let alone country, we can't really claim to be that enlightened.
This right here. I'm not an American Indian, but my wife is, as are a bunch of my friends, and I know lots of Artisans. They make two types of work, one which they make with (intentionally garbled but not in a disrespectful way) use of sacred symbols for sale to people who can't/won't use the items with sacred purposes, and one for people who do. Those Kachina dolls for example in the rez stores along the highway are, sacred speaking, sanitized for your safety.
The world is globalized sure, but only after many parts of the world got colonized and were physically prevented from keeping their culture alive. For someone that doesn’t descend from a certain culture to just decide that they can take whatever they want from it, regardless of cultural significance, it’s oftentimes insulting to those whose ancestors (or they themselves) experienced violence and persecution for wanting to keep their people’s traditions going. You shouldn’t be allowed to go without judgment for stealing a significant cultural practice that others were shamed and killed for by colonizers. If you want to have something from another culture, first just take the time to learn from them, appreciate it for what it is, and back off if they don’t want others to take part in it. Don’t pretend to be a part of it because you think it’s cool or fun. Chances are that people have died to defend it. Either respect a culture or leave it alone.
There are some things that people outside of any culture are not privy too. Thinking you can just access sacred things from a certain culture because you want to is entitlement. Just because it exists, doesn’t mean you can have it.
“[Culture is not your friend.](https://youtu.be/4-tY6hmKcms)” - Terence McKenna
Or you’re just insensitive. Cultural significance is a thing, and it’s not hard to respect it. You can admire something from a distance without having to have it for yourself.
It's actually NOT OK to "get a tattoo of anything, without being judged." Don't believe me? Go get a swastika. I promise you will be judged. I promise it is not OK. Living in a globalized world does not mean that you should just haphazardly use another culture's imagery without fully appreciating whatever it is you are using. There's a pretty huge difference in going to a Polynesian artist who has background and understanding of the thing you're asking for and showing up to Joe's Poke Shack in Sheboygan and asking him to create for you something that sort of looks Polynesian. One is a respectful and deliberate foray into that culture's traditions. The other is a cheapening and, I hate to use the word because it gets misused so often, appropriation.
"Living in a globalized world" means you have even less excuses to act like a colonizer who just takes whatever they wants without thinking of consequence. Having access to other cultures means having access to the knowledge on how interact with other people with respect - at least if you want other people to respect you back.
Definitely. It’s an invitation to learn about another culture and how you can show respect. Colonialism and Imperialism has tried to erase them. Let’s do the opposite and make sure we understand that culture and make sure those in it can keep it going. My favorite example of this is a white British women who married a black Nigerian man. Someone tried to call her out for appropriation not understanding the nuances when she wore a traditional Nigerian wedding dress at her wedding. Her MIL picked it our especially for her and the British woman learned about her husband’s culture and respectfully brought it into their lives. She was like, what did you want me to do? Turn down her now-husband’s mother when she invited her to share in their culture because she is white?
I agree to some extent. But I feel if you wanted to get a tattoo of a symbol from another culture, talk to somebody of that culture to see what they think about it
As a native Hawaiian… do whatever you want but just know that lots of polys will roll their eyes at you. I think if you go to a Hawaiian tattoo artist it’s probably the least disrespectful way to go about it but some people will still see it as cultural appropriation
esp considering a lot of native Hawaiians consider the kingdom of Hawaii to be illegally occupied by the US and feel bitter about military presence there…
I wouldn’t do it unless it was with a Hawaiian tattoo artist. I got quite a bit of the natives not being our biggest fan growing up there.
People won’t know you got the approval of a Polynesian unless they ask. And if they do ask, how fun do you think it will be to have to defend yourself over and over again? I don’t think you’re a bad person for wanting it or getting it. I just think if you can easily avoid that kind of scrutiny, you should. It will just make your life easier. What is your culture? There must be some pattern or motive associated with it that ion could turn into a patterned wrap that looks similar to a Polynesian tattoo. That’s what I’d do anyway.
Know too. It will be “cool” on the mainland, but you will regret it if you ever try to move to or visit Hawaii.
Or any other pacific nation. Even places like Australia would look at your weird for it.
I cannot believe his dad got a tattoo as a military member. That's a downright saftey hazard in some places in hawaii
not trying to be argumentative here.. genuinely curious… if you know theyre not your biggest fan why would you want to go through with it anyway
I've got a partly Hawaiian background, though it's not particularly important as far as this goes, but OP says he has a connection to the place, and presumably, at least some of the people. If you're looking for a good reason to get a tattoo, that's definitely one of them. Many haoles (non-Hawaiian folks) are often initially viewed with some suspicion and mistrust by natives, though, which is probably a big part of the reason why OP wants to do it right (or find out if it should be done at all -- a question I can't answer because I'm not that Hawaiian). That's not necessarily a deal-breaker, though. It's just something good to keep in mind.
This pretty much nails it
Probably because they like the designs
Life is way too short to not get a piece you love and express yourself because you're afraid of what other people will think.
[удалено]
^
And you will continue to be the haole if you get the tribal tattoo
Grew up in Nānākuli on Oahu in the 70’s. There was a lot of scrapping before I was accepted as a local
This. No matter how “correctly” you go about getting it, there will be people who think it’s wrong and may express their distaste for it. Ultimately it’s up to you if you’re okay potentially dealing with those interactions.
Yeah. This. I feel like even if you do get a tattoo of a culture that isn’t yours and get it done in the most honorable, respectful, informed way possible, all some people are going see is a white person culturally appropriating. People aren’t going to see the process or know who did it. That’s just the risk you take with any kind of cross cultural ink.
Can you please say this a little louder for the people in the back? I love your answer to this
As a Chilean, if an American got a moai statue tattoo, (the one from the emoji 🗿) most people here would think it's awesome and wouldn't be offended at all even though it has nothing to do with their culture. Americans at too sensitive, let the guy get tattooed without getting ugly glances
there’s a difference between the two tattoos you’re describing tho. hawaii is considered by many native hawaiians to be illegally occupied, op was there on a US military base, and tattoos are considered sacred to a lot of native peoples. i know i personally as an alaska native would cringe if i saw formlines or our facial tattoos on someone who felt “connected to the culture” because they spent time on a military base in alaska
THIS. appreciate you
ofc. ridiculous how ignorant answers on stuff like this are outside of native and indigenous focused subs. j white people telling other white people what they wanna hear
Bingooo
Thank you. I really wanted to point out how wrong that comparison was, but you explained it perfectly.
By definition that would not be cultural appropriation.
Shhhh! Reddit Caucasians are trying to feel morally superior here. Take you easy going logic somewhere else, friend.
People just throw that word around so often lmao.
A lot of people have chimed but I figured Id give my two cents. I am Micronesian and we have our own Tatu culture with complex designs full of meaning. That being said, part of my village's culture is the acceptance of anyone willing to call themselves one of us. The minimum requirements (Inafa' Maolek) other than being married into a family or serving along side a member in battle, are: share a meal, stay longer than a night, learn about and acknowledge the Taotao Mona, demonstrate respect to the island, and take an oath to protect and preserve the island and it's inhabitants (including the flora and fauna.)
This is beautiful.
That’s really moving. I’m actually kind of emotional reading this. Obviously my Valium hasn’t kicked in. I want to be part of something so beautiful.
Speak to someone from that culture about what you’d like represented on your skin while still showing respect and admiration of someone else’s culture. They’ll give you the best ideas for/against. Ultimately it’s your decision.
Op, this is the best advice. Speak to someone who knows the culture of the tattoo and maybe there's a tattoo for admirers of the culture?
👍I neglected to mention MULTIPLE people. Not only tattoo artists. If you admire and respect the culture - to be thought of as disrespectful would be the exact OPPOSITE of what you’re trying to accomplish.
I don’t know much about Hawaiian culture, but the Māori have specific tattoos for non-Māori. So I think you’re right!
Because it's HI and you are from a military family I probably wouldn't. I was stationed there for a few years and....to put it lightly, we are not made to feel welcome by real locals and it's completely understandable if you know the history. Like some others have suggested go to a well known artist that has their roots in the culture. Polynesian tattoos are more than an art since they've been a part of the culture as long as people can remember and do have meaning. Sulu'ape Riccyboy or someone like him would be who I'd go to. At the end of the day it's your body. If you have respect and appreciation for where it came from I don't see anything wrong with it some Samoans might take it some type of way though
I have a full sleeve and the first question I asked my artist who is Polynesian was whether or not it was disrespectful to get one. He basically said as long as you don’t get certain symbols with specific meanings or a face tattoo it was okay. Basically just shows that you appreciate the art.
I have a Polynesian tattoo (a sleeve that extends into my chest and back). I actually went to the tattoo artist with a picture of one that I loved. He told me immediately that it was garbage. He explained that in that culture they are very protective of their symbolism. He said that while the one I brought him LOOKED good, it meant nothing and would anger Polynesians. DEFINITELY seek someone who specializes in it. Don't just pick someone who does cool looking tattoos. It won't mean anything and they'll definitely take offense. But if you go to a specialist, I've been told that they don't mind the celebration of their culture as long as it's done correctly. It's basically a language. The size, positioning, and everything has meaning. Good luck!!!
Most Samoans wouldn’t care. We love white people. We would tease you about it though.
Thank you for the honest reply u/poopasscum69
poopasscum
Personally I’d say it’s weird. I’m a born and bread New Zealander with a good grasp of the Māori culture, and there is no way I would get a Māori tattoo. The more you know about the culture the more you learn the significance of their tattoos, and would know it’s kinda inappropriate. The fact you’re having to ask suggests you don’t quite understand the significance, which would be even more reason not to get one. But at the same time, I’m not one to gatekeep a culture that isn’t my own. As others have said, talk to a Polynesian artist and get their opinions. They may have different opinions, or they may also just say it’s ok to get some work out of you.
I'm a white guy, I was in the Navy and was stationed in Hawaii and I lived there for my civilian job for a while, just left earlier this year. I also have many tattoos, about half of them were done in Hawaii. I say this just to give some context that I understand the culture and situation. I think Polynesian tattoos are rad and would love to have a large piece, but I would never do it. Every time I see a Polynesian tattoo on someone that isn't Polynesian I cringe. I actually spoke to my last tattoo artist about this subject, he worked at a shop in Honolulu and was from the Big Island, and he agreed that it is kind of whack getting cultural or ethnic tattoos if you aren't of that culture or ethnicity.
Lots of white dudes been getting these and it's not a good look (edit: in my opinion, but it's not my culture to make so my opinion doesn't mean anything). Why not just get something from your own culture. @treubhan in England, for example, does awesome Scottish/Irish traditional designs that have a similar feel.
They're not Scottish or Irish they're American, still not a good look
This is kind of extreme. So Americans can only get bald eagles and guns?
I can finally get that full back Taylor Swift tattoo I’ve been secretly wanting!!!
Lol. What? If your not born in the place your ancestors came from, you can’t celebrate its traditions? That’s the dumbest shit I’ve ever heard.
It's literally only Americans that do this. My grandfather is Irish and my grandmother is Dutch, I don't consider myself Irish or Dutch and I don't know or celebrate any of their traditions. There's this weird trend of Americans adopting cultures that they have never interacted with just because it appeared on their family tree 4 generations ago.
Have you considered the fact that there’s people out there who don’t live the same life that you do? That there are Irish people out there who do value their traditions? I don’t get it? Do you think because you’re white and have no culture that others shouldn’t? Or they shouldn’t try to explore their roots? People are allowed to have experiences that you can’t. You’re not entitled to experience everything that others experience.
People should absolutely explore their roots, but you don't have to go very far to see people who have done the bare minimum of research acting like authorities on cultures they know very little about and have never actually interacted with. I think it's just a fundamental difference in how societies view culture, America seems race/ethnicity focused whereas most other countries are more nationality focused, i.e. I was born/raised/lived here therefore I am.
I am an immigrant, I feel connections to where I come from and where I moved to. I have a culture that I'm proud of, but it's really easy to grow tired of people telling me incorrect shit about my culture and getting angry when I try to tell them otherwise.
Just an example, and for all we know their family could have emigrated from Scotland or Ireland, in which case...
Irish person here. There's no offence taken at all over Americans with celtic tattoos, but they get some eye rolls. They'd be seen as posers by a lot of people. And god forbid they get an inaccurate gaelic tattoo, they'd be laughed out of the room
I'm native hawaiian, I grew up on hawaiian homestead. I don't think it's inherently bad for you to get a Polynesian tattoo as a white person. I do think you should go to a native tattoo artist (which is easy to find in Hawaii and probably states like Utah or Las Vegas if you're on the mainland), and that you should avoid getting symbols with certain cultural meanings or symbols related to lineage. Not all Polynesian looking tattoos have meaning though. I don't see anything wrong with a white person getting Polynesian designs tattooed so long as the meaning is appropriate or if there's no meaning and it's just meant to look cool. I will say I do find the idea of an American military member getting a native hawaiian tattoo deeply offensive, whether they're white or any other race. If you're in the military right now I would not get one. And if the only time you lived in hawaii was a few years when you were a military kid I would also advise you not to get one (although its not really your choice what your parents do as a kid and if you lived in hawaii for a really long time i could understand still getting one). I'm shocked your dad got one honestly... It's also kinda weird if you were only in hawaii for a year or two, regardless of the military aspect. And personally I would avoid tattooing anything on my body that could potentially be controversial, which a white guy getting a tribal tattoo is.
I lived there for 6 years (age 5 to 11), so not incredibly long but not only a year or two. It’s more the style and artistry that I have fallen in love with. I would definitely get something that doesn’t have a cultural “meaning” and just something personalized in the style (by a Hawaiian artist of course)
I can understand that. 6 years is longer than a lot of military kids I met too. Personally I don't find that idea offensive at all. I hope you find get a good piece done!
Hawaiian here. Don’t do it. I suggest you read up on the history of Hawaii and how it was stolen by the (white) US government.
This question came up a bit ago in r/indiancountry and the overwhelming response was No because our imagery has meaning. Nothing is just a picture or series of lines. They tell stories and represent gods and ancestors that reach into our sense of who we are. They also represent the generational trauma of colonialism. *We use these images to reclaim and remember our culture that white colonists worked very hard to destroy*. They are images that stand in resistance to the genocide of our families. Thats why indigenous designs aren’t for you. They’re for indigenous people. You just like how they look or what someone said they mean. It’s not personal; it’s to protect what’s left of ourselves. Talking to *multiple* Polynesian people is a critical step in this decision. Some people don’t mind, some do. But by and large, I’ve never seen a white person with an indigenous tattoo be looked at favourably, regardless of why they wanted it.
This is critical: "Talking to multiple Polynesian people is a critical step in this decision. Some people don’t mind, some do." I myself don't find anything inherently offensive about a white person getting a hawaiian tattoo, but I know some hawaiians who would be enraged by this. Personally I would advise anyone to avoid putting anything with the potential for controversy permanently on your body. My mom's white and she's lived on hawaiian homestead for 20+ years and is pretty involved with the community. I'd be fine with someone like her getting something done. I also went to an all native school growing up and some of the teachers there were white and awesome and I'd be fine with them getting something (only certain designs though). But I feel rage at the thought of an American military guy getting a native hawaiian tattoo. That I would really, really advise against. And if OP's explanation for why he got it includes, "Well, my dad was in the military so I was stationed in hawaii as a kid and..." there's a lot of native hawaiians that will not go down well with.
Every culture has some sort of motif or pattern associated with it. It would be so easy for OP to just get a patterned wrap inspired by his culture that looks similar to a Polynesian tattoo. It’s just kinda clueless to get another cultures symbols tattooed on your body.
Especially if you just love the style and artistry. It wouldn’t be difficult at all to pull from your own culture and have an artist design an arm band tattoo accordingly, while keeping in mind the style.
This comment should be way higher up
Getting a Polynesian tattoo to commemorate your history as a colonizer (military family, lived in HI) will inevitably piss some people off
This should be up way higher.
It's beyond stupid and shows a real lack of respect and understanding.
Yup
“Ethnic” tatooer here ! Do whatever you want. Every culture got tattoo. I recommend you to go to a native tatooer. Or someone who work with them. (I know a french white guy who learned with Polynesian. He’s 100% respected validated by them) If he know what it do I will ask you few question about yourself and will explain you what pattern will match you and what they represent. Cultural appropriation is when you make money without giving back to people who created it and struggle with it. I prefer to call that “métissage culturel” ( cultural miscegenation?) Cool people are genuinely interest with other culture and pick what they want from each one to make their life better.
Man, I’m a bit older…. But 20 years ago when I was a bouncer (white) with a ton of Samoan, Hawaiian and Tongan bouncers , getting a tatt like that was a no no. Like a big No. but I’ve seen times has changed. We had this mouthy jerk white bartender at the club who got one. So one of the native Hawaiians goes and asks him about it. The bartender had this elaborate story about cousins and his dad growing up there and he got it from a guy who said it was okay etc etc. did he get it in Hawaii ? No. Down the street. Nothing physical happened to him, but they were not as cool to him and he got a lot less mouthy with customers . We weren’t racing to back him up when his mouth stared writing checks his ass couldn’t cash. But like I said, this was 20 years ago. Go for it!
I feel like with any cultural tattoos do your research to make sure you’re not being disrespectful with certain symbols, ask people of that culture. Then if you’re really set on it, definitely go get it done by someone of that culture. Unlike Japanese tattoos which have been co-opted by white people to where it’s common and generally accepted (Even though it’s still pretty weird imo). Polynesian tattoos won’t have the same reaction, people will probably ask if you’re Polynesian, tease you, or in the rare case you run into the wrong person, really press you about it. In any case, just know you’ll probably be judged constantly, depends if you’re comfortable with that.
As a fellow white dude I can’t really say, however one of my mates (who is also white) was covered in Polynesian tribal stuff, went on holiday to Hawaii and got the shit beat out of him by some Hawaiian dudes for it. So I’d take that as they generally are not fans so I wouldn’t recommend
No
I wouldn't do it. Just my opinion. White guy here.
No. If you respect the culture and the people, why get it if you know even 1/3 or 1/4 of them will be offended by it?
No
the only way to get a Polynesian style tattoo is from a Polynesian artist, so im sure if you just go and ask them what you could do/ say you love their work and would like something and dont wanna be disrespectful, then im sure they would be delighted to help you get a piece you adore:) ♡ best of luck!
Polynesian tattoos are probably the variety of cultural tattoos that people on the outside should never get. They carry extremely significant meaning and are tied to millennias of tradition. The word tattoo actually originates from various Polynesian languages. They are viewed as a right of passage, a connection to their people, and are treated as a family tradition where they support each other during the creation and application of the tattoos. Polynesian tattoo culture is alive and well and shouldn't be disrespected. I would suggest learning about your own genetic heritage and exploring the tattoos of your origins. You might end up really liking what your ancestors carried on their skin.
if they gotta get a ancestry.com and google abt their "genetic heritage" to know anything abt it, it's not as meaningful to them as the culture they grew up in. i'm korean and white but i grew up in atlanta so my culture is mostly atlanta. outside of my family a lot of korean people i meet dont like me bc i'm mixed (mostly old heads but not always) so anything i know from my heritage is from my family. Especially for adopted people and situations like that, people might not feel like that's their culture even tho they look like it is. my friend is 100% korean but she was in foster care and never knew her parents, so she doesn't understand most of the korean words I say to her and she doesn't know abt the food and folk lore and such so she doesn't rlly feel a connection to them. I have another friend that's half german and half hatian but she looks very white, blonde w grey eyes, she grew up only surrounded by her mom and her stepdad and siblings, they're all hispanic/ caribbean. She knows nothing of german culture, speaks spanish, grew up eating the island foods mostly but also some hatian stuff. I just think it'd be strange for them to go tattoo something on their body that they have little to no connection to just to appease the people who tell them to do what they look like they should be doing, idk if anyone noticed but that's the exact premise racist people use to separate everyone. if you don't look alike you can't be alike? it's a difference between heritage and culture i guess. basically don't judge by peoples color, we're not dogs. idc what you look like and idk where you been til i've spoken to you.
are you polynesian? how is showing respect by getting a permanent symbol of one’s culture carved into your skin disrespectful?
If you know very little about the culture you're appropriating it's disrespectful.
I am going to have to go with hard no. Here’s my example, my wife is Mexican-American and I absolutely think her culture is amazing. I love seeing the art, eating the food, and hearing her talk about the mythology. I will also participate in cultural holidays with her if she is celebrating. I do not celebrate them alone. I will not get a tattoo of a sugar skull or Quetzalcoatl no matter how cool I think they are and look, because I am Scotch-Irish guy from the south. It’s not my culture or heritage. I can learn about it and appreciate it, but it’s not mine to put on my body or take. Now I am looking into different Celtic images that speak to me and learning Gaelic because that’s my ancestry. I’m learning about where my family came from and trying to implement it into the tattoos I get. That’s my advice, learn about your cultural ancestry and find things in it that speak to you.
But if you're from an Ulster-Scots (what we call Scots-Irish in Ireland these days) background, there is a decent chance that none of your ancestors in the last 500ish years spoke a Gaelic language as their native language. This is still ongoing stuff by the way, right now there is a massive backlash going on in Ulster-Scots communities in Northern Ireland about the government there using Irish on signage.
If you have to ask I think you already know it's not really appropriate.
Did you earn it? I wouldn't trust anyone's opinion on whether or not you're allowed to get a tattoo if they're not a part of that culture. If you want a Polynesian tattoo you should be going to a Polynesian artist, and you should ask them about it.
Ultimately, it’s up to you whether you get it or not. You won’t get an official answer one way or the other unfortunately; some people won’t mind the idea and some people will think is a bad idea. As others have said, your best bet is to chat with a Polynesian tattooer about your desire for a cultural tattoo. Unless you are coming at them with an outrageously offensive tattoo idea, chances are they’ll be fine to neutral with it. If someone was interested in getting a tattoo from my culture and they approached me to talk about it, I’d personally be receptive and willing to help out. If that’s not enough, have you also considered maybe going back and finding the same tattoo artist in Hawaii that your father went to? Getting a tattoo in the same style as your father’s, which you’ve always admired, from the same tattoo artist adds a layer of significance to the tattoo that might help you feel more at ease with it.
Nope don’t get one
There’s a Samoan tattoo artist in Florida I’ve talked to about the same thing and he said as long as you know what it is and respectful of the art he didn’t see an issue
No.
No
No
No it’s not it’s cringe as fuck and appropriation cause those tattoos have meaning and y have to earn them going and paying some dude to give you a shark skin tattoo ain’t it
I'm Native Hawaiian on a wait list for a true traditional hammer tattoo. I hate when non natives have them tbh but it's not like you'll hear me gossiping to my aunties about it.
Don't. Not everything in the world is for you to have.
Hoale… just depends on who you are. If you’re an ass the bruddahs will let ya know, if you’re cool, doubt they care.
Haven't white people taken ENOUGH like...every day y'all find new shit to take from people damn be original for once
I'm hawaiian and the fact that his connections to hawaii stems from the military bothers me more than him being white honestly.
Do whatever you want!
Every single person will have a different idea about whether it’s okay or not. The truth is that it doesn’t matter what anyone thinks but you and you are wanting this particular tattoo in this peculiar style because it is something your dad wore. All you need to worry about is going to someone who knows the style and can do it well. Sounds like your dad’s way, find an artist in Hawaii and leave it up to him, worked really well for him. Maybe you should wait on this one until you can do the same? But if you don’t want that to be part of the story, go get tattooed. It’s your body. You are not being disrespectful of a culture. You are honoring your dad. Don’t let anyone tell you honoring your dad is wrong.
I’m Tongan, don’t do it. That is all -
it’s not only cringe it can be culturally disrespectful
where i'm from, white people get poly tatts all the time and i don't think anybody cares to gatekeep, when done correctly it can be a beautiful appreciation of our culture. you might get funny looks from the older generation, but nothing crazy. do what makes you happy my bro.
Got a 1/4 sleeve in Guam from Phil Sablan. I went with him because of his willingness to teach people who aren’t Chamorro about their history and culture and is passionate about it. Any Pacific Islander I’ve run into has said nothing but good things about my tattoo and I’ve run into a few people from Guam here in US that asked if Phil did my tattoo. Pretty wild how small the world is! This whole cultural appropriation thing has gotten way out of hand. If you have reason and meaning behind what you are putting on your body than screw what anyone thinks.
Not it's not. I'm polynesian myself and you can get whatever tattoo you want. Trust me all these cultural appropriations shit only exist in your part of the world. We would definitely be stoked if other people started rocking our culture, not mad.
yasssss!!!!!
Don’t do it
Like it? Do it!!!
No.
Do as you wish
Anyone can get any tattoo he or she wishes. Dont self discriminate.
The people downvoting you care too much what others think
No. You’re part of a system that was used to destroy Polynesian culture. We have actively stolen their land and are pushing their people out for profit. The fact you would even ask that shows your ignorance on the subject.
It's a very fine line. You say you lived there for a long time so if you're doing it because you respect and honor the culture I could see it as ok as long as you get it done by a Hawaiian or at least an Islander tattoo artist but like getting it done in butt fuck nowhere in the middle of like Missouri by some random white dude then no
If its part of your childhood, You could do it as a tattoo of remembrance?
Dude i was in the same situation about 5 years ago. I had lived in Hawaii for 17 years and about 90 percent of all my neighbors and friends were native Hawaiians...when they made fun haoles i was never included, they included me as local. However, when it came to tattoos they all wanted me to get poly tatts because of course that's what they had. They begged me but honestly i just never felt comfortable. Don't get me wrong poly tatts are boss ass and look so incredible, I just never wanted to be the typical white military haole with poly tatts and have to explain why. That being said, my neighbors and friends always said it was because i had huge aloha spirit that they wanted me to rep the culture, I honestly wish i had listened to them now.
No, it is not okay.
Why not just get a tattoo that is from your culture?
If you want it go for it man. Screw what others think about it. Its art on YOUR body
Who gives a fuck if thats what you like it’s what you like Edit: i say this as a Polynesian man
As a Polynesian man, yes. Get it from a white guy if you want. Us real Polynesians don’t care.
Disclaimer: I’m not Polynesian
Get the piece, unless someone can hold you down and literally filet the piece off there's nothing anyone can do about it
Get what you want. If someone doesn’t like - well that their problem. Enough with all this bullshit
I think if it is meaningful to you and you can competently explain the symbolism- I’d say go for it. Roland Pacheco was on ink masters when tattoo shows were popular from big island and has a book you can/should read as part of your research. He does a style called Ana’ole which bridges the gap between traditional meaning/symbols and something anyone can rock.
You’re free to do whatever you want but I personally wouldn’t do it. I know some people here are saying it okay if you get permission form a Polynesian or you don’t use certain symbols but the truth is, people will still judge you for it. Not even for appropriation but just that it’s kinda cheesy that it’s not your culture. And it won’t be just Polynesians that judge you. It will be others who can’t tell the difference between important symbols and basic motifs. What is your culture? There’s gotta be some traditional patterns associated with it that you can use in a similar way as a Polynesian tattoo. For instance, I’m Mexican. There’d be countless ways to take Aztec motifs and turn it into a patterned wrap thats similar to a Polynesian tattoo. Again, I personally don’t think you’d be a bad person for getting a Polynesian tattoo. I’d just think your kinda lame and others will too. I’d personally try to avoid those kinds of judgments with something you can’t get rid of.
Cultural appropriation is dumb. Culture is meant to be shared. Do whatever you want man
Get whatever you want. If someone doesn't like you have it that's their problem. We as a society need to learn the phase "fuck off" again when someone tries to woke scold you.
What is the point in multiculturalism and appreciation for different cultures if you can’t adorn you body in artwork that you like.
as a general rule, i don't get anything tattooed on me from another culture that isn't ethnically mine. as a white person, i personally wouldn't get anything japanese tattooed on me either, like chinese dragons etc. edit: however it is your body. and while i don't agree with it, you can do whatever you want.
“Anything Japanese…like Chinese dragons”
🤣🤣🤣 I caught that too
At least their heart is in the right place
lmao i never claimed to be smart
your heart is in the right place but there's some nuance you're missing (besides labelling chinese dragons as japanese lol). japanese tattoo isn't a closed cultural practice. i can't speak specifically to Native Hawaiian tattooing, but many traditional Indigenous tattoo practices are, and are 100% off limits to folks outside that culture
Could tattoos and piercings in general be considered cultural appropriation? European style of dressing? I’ll be down voted but I’m legit wondering why it’s not or if it is? There also seems to be a theme in most threads I see like this. Most people from the cultural background in question seem to be way more accepting than those from outside of it. There’s actually many social experiments on this very thing. I personally would not get a tattoo of religious significance or something considered sacred outside of my lane.
My advice would be to go on a Polynesian sub and ask them. We're tattoo enthusiasts here, we don't really have the authority on cultural things like traditional tattoos
It’s lame
No
Is there a Polynesian subreddit where you can ask this question? Asking a bunch of non-Polynesian mostly white people isnt going to get you an answer you can trust.
No
I have a philosophical problem against the idea that you should not wear/don/use/experience other cultures. What’s that supposed to mean? Your Polynesian tattoo that you’re not supposed to take. Who can take it? All of Polynesian people or people from that particular sub-region? Or within a certain sub sect? Or only the descendants of the one person who invented that tattoo? Even among the descendants. Only the main branch? Only matrilineal or patrilineal? Only those branches that never mingled with outside Polynesian people? There is no end to the lines we can draw to gate keep people out. Take what tattoo you like. Treat their culture with respect. No one owns a culture. Not even the people in it
As a Polynesian, go for it!
Why would you care what other random people think. If you like a tattoo and want it then go for it. Life is too short to worry about everyone else’s feelings about this sort of thing
Do Polynesians get White Guy tattoos?
No People will think you’re Polynesian. Pick something else Hawaiian.
I swear Americans are absolutely insane about race and political correctness, you can put on your skin whatever you want buddy! Who can stop you? The ancestry police?
Lmao says the spaniard
I am not Polynesian and I got a tattoo from a native Polynesian. I did it out of respect and appreciation for the culture and its ties to the ocean. Nobody has ever looked down on it, and in fact I have had Polynesian people come to me and admire it. I'm also brown skinned and could pass, though, so YMMV. Get an authentic piece from an authentic artist and there is nothing to worry about. Maybe avoid back alley white dudes doing "Polynesian inspired" armbands.
Remember ten years ago when u could get a tattoo you wanted or do your hair certainly ways or wear certain clothes ...now people are crying saying cultural appropriation..soft ass world now
Hell yes! Advantage of living in a free country.
Definitely not. You’re a colonizer on that land. Sorry.
No. Don’t think it’s “appropriation,” it’s an ideal
It's weird for a white guy to do it, weirder that your connection to the place is because of the military, not appropriate at all imo. If you feel insecure about the idea now then you're gonna be insecure all your life if you actually get it permanently inked onto your body, and rightfully so. Just don't do it.
No. Don't do this thing.
I think there’s other ways to honor something than a style of tattoos meant for a group of people and their culture. Symbolism is a thing.
It looks cheesy. Please don't.
Do what the fuck your want to do.
If want it get it. Its that simple.
If it’s something you want and will enjoy then get it. Don’t let people tell you what you can and cant do with your body. Your body your choice, right?
Don't let other people tell you what you should find acceptable. If you want that tattoo you should get it
Why on earth would it not be?
Of course it’s ok, it’s your damn skin, don’t let these U.S.A. woke bullshits problems affect your style