Question 1

What is the difference between a tribal/cultural tattoo and a social media (hybrid) tattoo?

Accepted Answer

A cultural tattoo is designed according to the laws, structures, and visual language of a specific culture, land, and lineage.
 A social media or hybrid tattoo is designed for appearance only — often mixing multiple cultures together for visual effect without cultural grounding or protocol.
Cultural tattooing follows ancestry.
 Social media tattooing follows trends.

Question 2

Do you design tattoos based on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Google or Pinterest references?

Accepted Answer

No.
Social media references are often hybrid or generic “Polynesian tattoo” designs. They may look Polynesian art, or other cultural art, but they are not rooted in one culture, one land, or one lineage.
These designs combine elements from different cultures purely for aesthetics. While they may be visually appealing, they do not follow any traditional system, protocol, or cultural responsibility.
I do not replicate or remix social media tattoos.

Question 3

How do you design a cultural tattoo for a client?

Accepted Answer

Every cultural tattoo begins with identity or inspiration, not images.
I design based on:
 • Your cultural background and ancestry
 • Your region, islands, provinces, or villages (where applicable)
 • The correct visual system of that culture
 • Proper structure, flow, and placement
 • Cultural logic rather than internet aesthetics
Each tattoo is custom-designed for the individual.
 No two cultural tattoos are ever the same.

Question 4

What if I am Fijian, Indo-Fijian, Tongan, Samoan, Māori, Marquesas,  Micronesian, or from another culture?

Accepted Answer

Your tattoo will be designed within your own cultural framework.
For example:
 • A Fijian client receives Fijian-rooted design logic
 • A Tongan client receives Tongan-rooted design logic
 • A Samoan client receives Samoan-rooted design logic
 • A Māori client receives Māori-rooted design logic
Hybrid Generic social media tattoos have Patterns, structure, and flow  are interchangeable between cultures.
I do not merge cultures unless a client has legitimate, verifiable mixed ancestry and requests a respectful consultation-based approach.

Question 5

Why will my tattoo look different from what I see online?

Accepted Answer

Because authenticity does not look generic.
A real cultural tattoo is:
 • Specific, not mass-produced
 • Grounded, not trendy
 • Structured, not decorative
 • Personal, not copied
If your tattoo looks different from social media examples, that is a positive outcome. It means your tattoo is actually yours — not a reproduction of someone else’s body.

Question 6

Is cultural tattooing more than just decoration?

Accepted Answer

Yes.
Cultural tattooing is:
 • A lifelong artwork
 • A form of cultural responsibility
 • A visual language tied to ancestry
 • Something you carry, not something you wear
When you receive a cultural tattoo, you become a collector of a living cultural artwork, not a consumer of a trend.

Question 7

Will you explain the tattoo and its meaning to me?

Accepted Answer

Yes.
During your session, I explain:
 • The structure of the design
 • The flow and placement
 • Why each section exists
 • How it relates to your identity and culture
Education and understanding are part of the process.

Question 8

What if I want a tattoo that just “looks Polynesian”?

Accepted Answer

If your goal is a purely just decorative or social media trend-based tattoo, I may not be the right artist for you.
My work focuses on cultural integrity, protocol, and authenticity, not generic or hybrid aesthetics.

Frequently Ask Questions for Tattoo Inquiries