Traditional tattoo designs on Maui are well known for being some of the most unique and symbolic tattoos on the island and beyond. If you’re wondering which traditional tattoo design is perfect for you, we’ve made a list of five unique, beautiful and symbolic designs to choose from.
Symbolic traditional tattoo designs on Maui
You can choose from any of these symbolic traditional tattoo designs on Maui:
Rose tattoos
Inspired by Greek mythology, the rose flower was symbolic of Aphrodite. That makes it a key depiction of beauty and love whenever it is tattooed. Most people often have roses inked on their skin as a symbol of their loved ones.
More so, rose tattoos often blend well with other tattoo designs such as butterfly or any other design related to nature and love. As one of the most beautiful traditional tattoo designs on Maui, Rose tattoos were common among ancient sailors who ink them on their skin as symbols of their loved ones they left behind.
Butterfly tattoos
Butterfly tattoos are part of the most beautiful traditional tattoo designs on Maui. Aside from being one of the most beautiful creatures on earth, butterflies’ unique transformation during growth makes them one of the most symbolic designs in tattoos.
As butterflies transform through a metamorphosis from caterpillar to cocoon and to butterfly, the butterfly traditional tattoo design on Maui can indicate transformation in any area of life. More so, the butterfly traditional tattoo design on Maui can symbolize freedom, independence, or a fresh start for the wearer.
Ship tattoos
Ship tattoos are some of the most well-known traditional tattoo designs on Maui. Ships are part of the most significant parts of sailors’ lives and they symbolize adventure, voyage, quest, and independence. Once a ship sails, there’s no holding back.
Since sailors are typical explorers, ship tattoos are some of the most unique ways to depict adventure, exploration, and discoveries. Even more, ships are vessels that depict home away from home. They are also a vehicle to return home after any voyage. Ship tattoos also symbolize love for voyage or travel and the water lust nature of the wearer.
Anchor tattoos
Anchors are often used to keep ships in place and to prevent them from drifting away. Also, anchors indicate stability, strength, and the grounded nature of the wearer’s personality. Anchor tattoos are some of the most admired traditional tattoo designs on Maui.
Anchor tattoos can be indications of what the wearer is or admire. The tattoo can also mean what the wearer hopes to become. Sailors and explorers were some of the ancient men that made anchor tattoo designs become well-known. Some traditional anchor tattoos have texts indicating the name of a loved one, location, experience, or even paired with other designs.
Swallow tattoos
Sailors are usually fond of swallows for several reasons, but one reason stands out. Unlike other birds, swallows often return to the same nesting site time after time after traveling long distances in risky conditions, similar to sailors at sea.
Swallow tattoos are often seen in pairs when inked on a sailor’s skin. Sailors often get a swallow tattoo when they set sail and then get another one once they return home making them one of the most unique traditional tattoo designs on Maui. Even more, having several swallow tattoos is an indication of a sailor’s success at sea.
Shark tattoos
Shark tattoos depict protection from the dangers of the ocean. Sailors are often at risk of being attacked by sharks while at sea. Sharks have no natural predators. So, having a shark tattoo is also a symbol of being at the top of your game without any form of victimization. Shark tattoos also symbolize bravery.