In ancient times, the art of tattooing was referred to as ‘kakau’ in Hawaii. Originally done only in black ink, tattooing was a practice that marked religious devotion and passage into adulthood. Since enduring the tattoo needle can be painful, the act symbolized toughness and bravery. Below, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of Hawaiian tattoo meanings. Read on, and discover some of the liveliest tattoo designs in existence!
