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Specifically, I wanna talk about Moana's new demigoddess tattoos. In the polynesian cultures Moana is based on, tattoos are a hugely important art, especially for anyone looking to keep a leadership position. The act of getting a tattoo was considered a sacrifice of pain and blood, from which you emerged as a fully-fledged adult. Women often got excepted from needing a tattoo to prove their adulthood, as it was generally considered that childbirth and menstruation pain were blood and pain enough to count- but most royal women got ink anyway, because there were certain Tapu things one needed the protection of a tattoo for. 

There are two important concepts to note when trying to understand polynesian traditional tattoos; Tapu and Mana.

The word Mana may be familiar to anyone who has ever played an rpg, and it was the Polynesians who came up with it first. Mana is a sort of pool of spiritual energy that every living thing has, (and some not strictly-speaking living things like volcanos, mountains and bodies of water). Roughly translated Mana means reputation, prowess, status and spirit. You receive some mana from your ancestors through your blood ties- it can be banked and passed down like a family heirloom- and honoring your ancestors can grant you even more. Like getting a particular pattern tattooed on you that your grandmother once sported, in honoring her you tap into some of her spiritual power, her mana. Even without the mystic part, people in your community will likely see the tattoo and recognize it, and give you kudos for the gesture, thus increasing your reputation. Tattoos are believed to be both vessels of good mana and barriers against bad.

Blood was believed to hold mana, and hair- the longer and more lucious your locks the more virile and spirited you were thought to be- its partly why the pacific story trust (the cultural consultants on Moana) insisted Maui not be bald like the animators first dreamed up. Maui the demigod & cultural hero is a man meant to be brimming with vitality and accomplishments, and this would absolutely increase his mana to super human proportions over his long lifespan. But just as you can add to your mana by doing great deeds and serving the community, you can lose mana by being selfish, hurting others or breaking rules. 

Which brings me to the second thing to understand about polynesian tattoos: Tapu. 

The english word ‘taboo’ comes from Tapu and while not an exact translation is close enough to start with. It's a restriction, in varying degrees, a guide of what is frowned upon or reserved for only special circumstances or people. Copying a person's tattoos exactly is Tapu, because tattoos are very personal things, but getting a mark inspired by someone else’s tattoo is less so, particularly if you get their permission or are related. Some tattoo patterns run in families, and it is Tapu for anyone outside that family to have it. Some tattoos are Tapu for anyone but the chief or priest. But also tattoos can protect you from Tapu- on some islands, for example, women were not allowed to eat bananas…something something phallic imagery- but if a woman had tattoos on her hands, she could touch and handle bananas without worry. Sort of like spiritual oven mitts! Priests and chiefs often marked off areas that were considered too sacred, ie; had too much mana for your average villager to handle, but they were allowed to enter those areas because of the protective nature of the tattoos they got when joining the priesthood or chiefdom. 

In Moana 2 we even see this protective nature in action. When Maui gets hit by nalo’s lightning- the ultimate form of weaponized mana- his tattoos burn away instead, overloaded with energy but still doing their job protecting Maui’s life. 

Tattoos were also considered a way to become a few steps closer to the gods, who are brimming with mana & the marks that go with it. It makes perfect sense that Moana gains demi-godhood upon receiving hers, and that Maui without his loses his power- and he doesn't fully become one again till they reappear. They hold and channel mana, the source of their godly powers.

In traditional pacific tattooing, it's the artist who chooses what the design will be, not the bearer. On most islands the tattoo artist was closer to a priest, he sang prayers over the process and was thought to be granted visions of what the patterns should be and how to apply them. In Moana's case, we cut out the middleman and it appears that the gods themselves grant her her ink- and in our world the one who assigned her her marks was Samoan God of Tattooing Peter Suluape. The Suluape family business is based out of new zealand, but the dynasty of tattoo priests began in Samoa and today does world tours to serve anyone in the pacific diaspora. To get a tattoo from them you must be interviewed, and it is they who decide if they wish to take you as a client. A good artist will take your personality, work, and history into account so the result is something unique and personal, but it is ultimately their call. 

In researching this, I leaned heavily on the Suluape Studio Instagram account for clues, as well as lectures and books written by their former apprentices so I knew I was reading from the same playbook in terms of what symbol can mean what. Sometimes a tattoo is literal: Maui lassoing the actual sun with his hook. Sometimes it's more metaphorical, like triangle patterns being sharks teeth, meaning protection. Oftentimes, it's a little bit of both. For each point I've included both the literal and figurative interpretation. And the placement of each symbol can have meaning as well- where it rests on the body- so I'll be calling out when it seems relevant there too. 

As a disclaimer, I am not of pacific islander heritage myself, nor do I have a degree in polynesian cultural practice nor even a tattoo license. I do have a degree in graphic design, and have researched the topic extensively on my own, but I welcome any and all corrections by those who have more expertise. As I go I'll include links to some of my most cited sources, and anyone who wishes feel free to check my work. Or even if you just wish to know more!

To start, here’s a quote about the vision behind her tattoo from Moana 2 writer & director Dana Ledoux, from her buzzfeed interview: 

“It was all by design. So we had Peter Suluape as our consultant in the Tatau form. No big deal! Maui's tattoos tell his story, and if she's going to become a demigod, we wanted her tattoos to tell her story but in a very specific way. With Maui, there's so many tattoos that tell so many stories. We wanted her tattoo to tell this story of her reconnecting all the people of the ocean. So that's why it has Motofetū in the middle, the island, and everything coming off are the channels that connect it. And so we talked to him about that, and he came back with a design. And then we worked with our character designer, Danny Arriaga, who took all of those pieces and put it together in something that worked on her arm. “

Motu Fetû: “Star island”

This one is pretty literal; it’s the island, risen from the depths, with its signature keyhole and the constellation rising above it, almost exactly as it appeared on the pot shard Moana found, in her vision, and later the sail on her boat. 

In The Art of Moana 2 book, we learn from a quote by Joyce Lee, environmental art director, that the constellation is meant to be Cassiopeia. (link here for a free flip through of the pages)

“We chose it because it's a prominent northern hemisphere constellation- one that would require Moana to journey into a whole new sky to find it.” (pg 75)

 Also in the art book, we get director Jason Hand’s commentary on the meaning of Motu Fetû:

“Motu Fetû is a mythical gathering place for all the people of the ocean. We gave it an iconic shape and added a keyhole to represent a window into a whole new future for Moana and her people.”(pg.149)

One interesting thing to note as well is how we see eight distinct currents flowing to and from Motu Fetû, and eight stylized paths leading to it on Moana's arm. 

Fusi, Octopus tentacles

The word fusi also means ‘belt’ or ‘tie’ but the literal interpretation is an octopus tentacle, covered in strong suckers. It represents Tenacity, Determination and outright Stubbornness, like an octopus who won’t let go without a fight. It's also known to represent strong bonds with family and community, and features on Tui’s tattoos as well, from whom Moana inherited her headstrong spirit and community minded outlook. 

 Vaetuli / Fa’avatuli:  Plover footprints/ The path of the plover

There are a few birds known as Tuli in Samoa, but the most prominent among them is the Pacific Golden Plover, who migrates there from Alaska every year and is one bird among many that ancient polynesians followed on their voyages. The Tuli in particular is special because of a story where the bird plays a vital part in helping the gods create mankind, and in art often is represented as an ancestor to humanity and a divine messenger. The literal mark is meant to be its footprints in the sand, and calls to mind the wayfinding adage “To know where you are going, by knowing where you've been.”

The marks often have a dual meaning in tattooing of "the path you must take” but also “those who came before” aka one’s ancestors. 

Fa’agogo: The way of the Tern

The Tern is considered a symbol of safe return as it never passes the night at sea. Navigators therefore used them as a sign that soon they would reach land. Nature’s voyagers, they migrate from pole to pole every year, even further than the plovers on a set route. They represent voyaging, guidance, and carry the stories of the person’s life journey. In a subtle way, this is Moana's animal tattoo, like tala and her manta ray, and if she were to join the spirit realm, this is what I believe she’d come back as. 

In addition, the marks in between birds represent distance & steps on a path. Likely related to the historically accurate measuring tape we see Loto use; a long cord with beads knotted in at regular intervals to keep measurements consistent between projects. So all together the tattoo is a symbol of voyaging great distances to achieve a goal; Motu Fetû. 

5: Ave’au: starfish 

    There are quite a few ways ancient tattooists depicted stars; diamond shapes, 4 sided, 5 sided, 6, even 8 sided twinkles that all relate to the heavenly bodies but also have double terrestrial meanings. A four sided star or cross shape can be read as a starfish, the animal associated with regeneration, rebirth, healing and good medicine. Both from its natural ability to regenerate limbs and from the medicinal properties it was believed to have when dried and powdered.  Note how this line doesn’t make it all the way to Motu Fetû on her arm: instead it collides with two plover lines then veers into the spiral on her inner elbow. We’ll come back to that later. 

6. Fetû: The Guiding Star

    Some navigators got the position of the stars they used to find home tattooed for easy reference on their hands like a permanent cheat sheet or spiritual homage. You place your hand so the thumb rests on the horizon line at a certain angle and go til the star you want lines up with the mark on your hand. That's the more literal interpretation. Figuratively, stars represent guidance, wisdom, and goals. Moana’s mom Sina has stars tattooed on her hands and as a common motif in her dress. Sina, as the chief’s wife, is a guiding light to the island- keeper of wisdom and ready to put anyone back on the path if they get lost. 

(note the star patterns on her dress and the delicate star tattoos on her hands)

7.  Malu & Vae’ali: a Network of support

     Malu is one of those multilayered marks that's hard to translate. On the surface it is a net- a set of interconnected lines forming a diamond pattern, and can be used to mean prosperity (from a nice fishing catch for example) or the ability to provide for one’s own. The interlocking cords also mean net as in a network- interconnected lines coming together from cooperation, responsibility and protection. I’ve also seen it translated as ‘shield’ or ‘shelter’, citing its four sided nature to represent the strong foundations or walls of a house, offering protection from all sides. (source)

(note the X s in the band around their wrists as well as the crossline diamond lines) (photo link)

 It's the symbol that the Larger leg tattoo got its name from; the malu high ranking women got on their thighs to just under their knees. The mark itself tend to come in sets of three or feature three prominent lines- as stated from this reddit user showing off her new tattoo as done by The Suluape family in 2015: 

     “The Samoan Malu Tatau represents a lot of things, but the symbolization is a reminder of my daily duties in life as a female. The Samoan female is supposed to always take care of and make a priority of 3 main things, our: 1)Household, 2) Children, & 3) Elders.

The thigh markings in sets of 3 mean this, a daily reminder of my responsibilities, as I carry this ink.” 

Another possible meaning for the individual X marks is the Vae’ali, the legs of a wooden pillow/stand upon which chiefs rested their heads. It can mean those of chiefly status but also being a ‘support’ for those with status. Taken together, it's likely the mark represents Moana's role as future chief and her caring personality, interconnecting not only people of her village but the peoples of the whole ocean. 

(from a museum in fiji)

8. Niho Mako (Maori): Shark teeth

Sharks are regarded as fearless hunters, powerful creatures that dominate the oceans. Based on their characteristics and on myths and legends, sharks (and therefore the shark teeth motifs used to represent them) are symbolic of strength, guile, protection and guidance. It's a symbol that frequently repeats on Maui’s tattoos as well, for the same reasons.  Also remember that in lieu of metal, ancient Polynesians used shark teeth in their deadliest weapons, making this a fearsome pattern indeed.  

Trochus Shells are another likely candidate for this particular pattern, as they were highly prized for their mother of pearl inner shell that was carved and used in jewelry. This led to the shell representing a person of high status and prosperity. Shells in general often represented protection, as the tough exterior protects the soft animal within.

(trochus shells in varying stage of polish)

9. Koru: coiled, loop, spiral fern.

Koru is a Maori word meaning folded, coiled, and it is used in tattooing to indicate a curled shape representing a fern sprout and symbolizing life, new beginnings, and tradition. (link) And of course, in Moana, it's especially associated with Te Fiti, the mother goddess. 

10.  Moana Wai ‘aliki: Ocean, water chief

The final mark is the rolling wave pattern that makes up the upper border of Moana’s tattoo so far. The dots above the wave can also be seen as a person waving their arms while half submerged in water, making this a bit of a pun on Moana’s name & surname. It would be remiss of the artists not to include a nod to the sea on a girl whose name means Ocean. Her surname is never spoken in the films but in merchandise descriptions and disney promotional materials the list it as "Wai'aliki". Wai (or vai) meaning water and ‘aliki meaning royalty or chief.

In context I believe this border represents the line where the sky meets the sea. Moana’s eternal chase of the next horizon. Perhaps a promise of more tattoos, more islands yet to come?

Speaking of context, let’s look at this side of the tattoo as a whole:

The spiral’s position on her arm is directly opposite the peaks of Motu Fetû, which may be a reference to the ritual that gave Moana her demigoddess status while Motu Fetû was still beneath the waves. into the spiral flows the plover footprints- here possibly representing either the gods’ or her ancestors funneling mana to her. The starfish pattern, which we know represents regeneration & rebirth, also feeds into the spiral, perhaps alluding to how the event not only empowered her but brought her back to life- of possibly hinting at the healing ability she was set to gain as an immortal. 

The path of terns flying to the spiral show how far Moana journeyed to get to demigodhood, and how the end of one journey gives rise to another, even greater one.

It's also interesting to note that there's a point on her arm where multiple paths converge- the starfish lines & two separate plover prints. Could this be where the kakamora prince Kotu and later Maui join their voyage? The star line ending there may be a reference to the meteor they were using as guidance, the one sent by Moana's ancestors. The star line, unlike Moana’s other finger routes, does not end up at MotuFetû but instead in the spiral that likely represents Moana’s demigoddess transformation.  The ancestor’s guided her on her path following a shooting star- and even though the meteor blew up mid-journey it got her to where she needed to be to meet the last two members of her crew & find the portal north. And while her ancestors never made it to the Motu Fetû above the waves while they were alive, they appear just as Moana needs them most, proving they never truly left her. 

In conclusion, 

Moana’s tattoos both tell her story and function as a map of her achievement. Included are references to her family, her community, her ancestors- her history. Among them we see depicted all the things Moana loves, her values, her personality, who she is, in the present. And we get hints of what virtues and role she’ll play in the future as a brand new demigoddess: connecting all the far flung peoples of the pacific oceans and discovering new islands, forever chasing the horizon in a style wholly unique to her. <3

If you made it this far, thank you so much for reading, and if I get enough internet brownie points from this, maybe I'll do one for Maui's tattoos as well. (he has a lot more of them!!!)