Do moko symbols have a meaning?
All symbols have meaning, usually a tribal link that tells the background and stories of the wearer. Moko is a visual language that connects the wearer to their whakapapa. Does getting a moko hurt? Yes. Needles are forced into the skin to insert ink into the puncture, so it’s inevitable that it will hurt, although some people have a higher tolerance for pain than others. Are moko the same today as before? Most designs have a traditional base, but there have been many changes to what was traditionally used. New moko traditions are being created to sit alongside the old. Why is moko applied to the bottom? Aesthetically, the bottom is a very sensual area to look at. Traditionally, it links the back design to the designs on the backs of the legs. The spirals accentuate the roundness of the buttocks, enhancing the body. Why do people get facial moko? A moko on the face is the ultimate statement of one’s identity as a Māori. The head is believed to be the most sacred part of the body. To wea
