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Dave, I love the Honu. If I were to ever actually get a tattoo I think that is what I'd get.I haven't finalized anything yet, but I know I'd want something tribal that evokes the spirit of the Honu. These ideas below are just some images I've collected from various places online - none are better than any other. I think when I get to Hawaii next Summer I'll talk with a tattoo artist and see what ideas they may have. There are any number of tattoo artists on the Mainland I could use, but this has to carry a feeling of the aumakua from someone with Hawaiian roots - the artist has to know the spiritual aspect of what I'm after, and help me to achieve it. I also don't want this to be huge tattoo, maybe only about 4 inches square, so I know it can't be too detailed. But who knows? It's all up for negotiation. As I said, "We'll see."
Dave
It isn’t religious, per se, but it is a spiritual, personal thing.
Glynda, you can think of it like a spirit animal. In Hawaiian culture, an aumakua is an animal or plant that represents a family history and ancestors, and can be a protector of the current family members. It isn’t religious, per se, but it is a spiritual, personal thing. (None of the images I posted are specific to what I want, but they illustrate the idea of what I’m after.)
I first moved to Hawaii when I was 14, a troubled teenager sent to live with my Father, after things got to be too bad at my Mom’s house. (Long story, details unimportant.) When I stepped off the plane for the first time, Hawaii welcomed me, in a way I can’t express. I am not a religious man, but I was overwhelmed with a sense of peace, and belonging. I knew I’d come “home.” I embraced Hawaiian culture and history, because it felt right, on a deeply personal level. I spent a lot of time alone on the beach, trying to figure out who I was, and how I fit into the world. The honu was often a companion I saw when I was snorkeling, or when I was on the beach. I always acknowledged them, and “knew” things in my life were going to be okay. That feeling has never left me.
As an animal, the honu represents perseverance, longevity, and constant application to the task at hand. For me, as a person, those traits are how I live my life.
So it isn’t a specific design or pattern that I’m after, it is the emotional connection to how I feel about the honu, and acknowledging it as my aumakua.
Dave
Thanks for the explanation, Dave. I have always thought of the bold almost geometric, but not quite, of Hawaiian, Polynesian or Maori comes closest to the type of tattoo I would get it I was going to get a tattoo.Glynda, you can think of it like a spirit animal. In Hawaiian culture, an aumakua is an animal or plant that represents a family history and ancestors......
As an animal, the honu represents perseverance, longevity, and constant application to the task at hand. For me, as a person, those traits are how I live my life.
So it isn’t a specific design or pattern that I’m after, it is the emotional connection to how I feel about the honu, and acknowledging it as my aumakua.
Dave
Thanks for the explanation, Dave. I have always thought of the bold almost geometric, but not quite, of Hawaiian, Polynesian or Mauri comes closest to the type of tattoo I would get it I was going to get a tattoo.
Jim
So different families chose other animals or plants as their aumakua? The green sea turtle, honu, is just one of a number of aumakua? Your spiritual connection with Hawaii and the honu stems from the peace you found there, what you learned of its history and culture, and particularly felt on/at the beach where you swam with and saw the honu. I can understand your search for the one design that embodies all of those feelings. Thank you for taking the time to explain it to me.
Our family aumakua is a pueo. While it is very cool, I am a little bummed that our aumakua isn't something that lives in the water.Yes, every family (or family member) finds the aumakua they feel closest to, or protected by. For those with Hawaiian ancestors, the aumakua represents the present-day life of deceased ancestors, who protect the family now. Different people in the same family can choose a different aumakua, as they accept and understand which being fits their life. There is no exact answer, since everyone has a different journey.
When I was a teenager on Oahu, I was “adopted” by a Hawaiian woman who conducted blessings on people, homes, and businesses. She was sort of a female kahuna. Wonderful lady. I assisted her several times during her ceremonies, and I never felt more connected to the Islands than during those times.
If I believed in reincarnation, I’d believe I once had Hawaiian ancestors.
This page gives a bit more info about aumakua: http://www.coffeetimes.com/aumakua.htm. The sixth paragraph contains the part that I most identify with.
Dave
Yes, every family (or family member) finds the aumakua they feel closest to, or protected by. For those with Hawaiian ancestors, the aumakua represents the present-day life of deceased ancestors, who protect the family now. Different people in the same family can choose a different aumakua, as they accept and understand which being fits their life. There is no exact answer, since everyone has a different journey.
When I was a teenager on Oahu, I was “adopted” by a Hawaiian woman who conducted blessings on people, homes, and businesses. She was sort of a female kahuna. Wonderful lady. I assisted her several times during her ceremonies, and I never felt more connected to the Islands than during those times.
If I believed in reincarnation, I’d believe I once had Hawaiian ancestors.
This page gives a bit more info about aumakua: http://www.coffeetimes.com/aumakua.htm. The sixth paragraph contains the part that I most identify with.
Dave