Whats the difference between moko and tattoo?
‘Tattoo’ is the English version of the Tahitian word tatu. Tattoo is the tradition of marking the skin with ink and needles, whereas moko is the practice of scarring and marking the skin to reflect the whakapapa (genealogy) of the Māori wearer. Moko can be seen as a cultural affirmation. 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. Traditi
