Hei ta'vahna and Helix piercing: Difference between pages

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[[File:Ka%27ava-1.gif|thumb|right|311px|alt=Ka'ava-1.gif]]
[[File:Helix_Piercing-1.jpg|thumb|right|Helix Piercing]]
The '''helix piercing''' is any piercing through the rim of the [[Cartilage|cartilage]] (thus making it susceptible to complications such as [[Ear_Collapse|Ear Collapse]] if care is not taken to use proper tools and procedures; for example, [[Piercing gun|Piercing guns]] have been shown to be capable of causing cartilage to shatter). The innermost part of the helix (closest to the head) is sometimes called an [[Ear Head Piercing|Ear Head Piercing]].


The '''Marquesas Islands''' are an island group in French Polynesia. The islands are approximately 1,000 miles (1,600 km) northeast of [[Tahiti]], and were first settled almost 2000 years ago by the Polynesians.
[[Paul King|Paul King]] adds,
>"In the West the helix piercing is considered only as adornment. However, helix piercings are found on every continent and in many traditional cultures have great importance.
>The [[Dayak|Dayak]] of [[Borneo]] (tribal names such as [[Iban|Iban]] and [[Punan|Punan]]) would wear bear canines in their upper ear cartilage, often connected with intricate bead work. This was considered a sign of a brave headhunter. In the Lmasala clan of the [[Samburu|Samburu]] (Kenya), the mothers of warriors wear their sons' circumcision earrings in their cartilage during their warriorhood."


The islands deserve a mention here as the '''Marquesan tattoo'''ing tradition has had a great influence on today's artists.
== Contents ==
* 1 [[#Marquesan_Tattoo_Tradition|Marquesan Tattoo Tradition]]
* 2 [[#Hand_Tattoos|Hand Tattoos]]
* 3 [[#Marquesan_Motifs|Marquesan Motifs]]
* 4 [[#Ear_Tattooing|Ear Tattooing]]
* 5 [[#Other_Tattoo_Traditions|Other Tattoo Traditions]]
* 6 [[#Related_Articles|Related Articles]]
* 7 [[#External_Links|External Links]]
== Marquesan Tattoo Tradition ==
Boys received their first tattoos in their teens in a ritual setting, and by old age often had tattoos all over their bodies. Women were also tattooed, but nowhere near as extensively as the men.
The designs share many symbolic motifs, but were never copied entirely; every individual's tattoos were different and signified his position in the family.
The sailors on board the ships of Captain [[James Cook]] and other explorers from the West brought tattooing back with them, influenced by the designs they had seen on the inhabitants of these islands. These early tattoos, on the bodies of sailors, began the reintroduction of tattooing to the West.
While tattooing is still performed on the Marquesas Islands, the images no longer carry their former significance, and are generally done with a [[Tattoo Machine|tattoo machine]] rather than by the traditional method.
== Hand Tattoos ==
'''Hand tattooing''' is an important part of Marquesan tattooing, containing both specific iconography and individualized application. While some designs are male or female oriented, there is some interchange between the two.
{|
{|
! [[File:Marquesan_hand_tattoo-1.gif|200px|Male hand tattoos]]
| [[File:Helix_Piercing-2.jpg|thumb|right|Helix Piercing]]
! [[File:Marquesan_hand_tattoo-2.gif|150px|Female hand tattoos]]
| [[File:Helix_Piercing-3.jpg|thumb|right|Helix Piercing]]
| [[File:Ear_Head_Piercing-1.jpg|thumb|right|Ear Head Piercing]]
| [[File:Ear_Head_Piercing-2.jpg|thumb|right|Ear Head Piercing]]
|}
|}


== Marquesan Motifs ==
== Alternative Names ==
The following are a few examples on hands of '''Marquesan tattoo motifs''':
; Ear Head Piercing
 
: a [[Local Term|local term]] for '''helix piercings''' along the inner rim of the ear (ie. closest to the head). The earliest documented one in modern piercing was done by [[Crystal Cross|Crystal Cross]] on [[Elayne Angel|Elayne Angel]].
{|
| [[File:Fanaua-1.gif|150px|''Fanaua'' is a kind of evil spirit]]
| [[File:Nutu_Kaha-1.gif|147px|''Nutu Kaha'' symbolizes a mouth or muzzle, and has a number of different versions]]
| [[File:Piaotiu-1.gif|150px|''Piaotiu'' means "to fold or to make into bundles"]]
|-
| [[File:Pohu-1.gif|150px|''Pohu'' is a legendary character]]
| [[File:Poka%27a-1.gif|150px|''Poka'a'' symbolizes a wooden sholder rest used for carrying a pole]]
| [[File:Ka%27ava-1.gif|150px|''Ka'ava'', meaning "ridge pole," often running centrally down the hand]]
|-
| [[File:Ka%27ake-1.gif|150px|''Ka'ake'' represents the armpit, but it is not tattooed ''on'' the armpit per se]]
| [[File:Kea-1.gif|150px|''Kea'' can represent the woodlouse, the tortoise or a carved plaque of a tortoise shell and has a number of variations]]
| [[File:Koua%27ehi-1.gif|150px|''Koua'ehi'' represents coconut leaves]]
|-
| [[File:Po%27i%27i-1.gif|150px|''Poi'i'' represents a coiled shellfish and has many versions]]
| [[File:Hei_ta%27vahna-1.gif|60px|''Hei ta'vahna'' representing a crown of cock's feathers, sometimes tattooed across the palm]]
| [[File:Mata-1.gif|150px|''Mata'' represents eyes and has many variations]]
|}
 
== Ear Tattooing ==
Tattooing of the ear (puaina) was usually, but certainly not always, limited to women.
{| border="0" style="text-align:center"
| [[File:Marquesan_ear_tattoo-1.gif|664px|Common ear tattoo motifs]]
| [[File:Omuo_puaina-1.gif|126px|''Omuo Piana'' is similar to a carved bone earring]]
|}
 
== Other Tattoo Traditions ==
* Shoulders were commonly tattooed in Marquesan culture. This particular one is a band across the arm, just below the fall of the shoulder, on a woman of Tai-Pi Vai, Nuku Hiva.
 
[[File:Marquesan_shoulder_tattoo-1.gif|center|188px|(based on a sketch by E. S. Handy)]]
 
* Traditionally some Marquesan women tatttoed their lips, also called ''koniho''.
 
[[File:Koniho.jpg|center|431px]]


== Related Articles ==
== See Also ==
* [[Tribal]]
* [[Ear Spiral|Ear Spiral]]
* [[Polynesia]]


== External Links ==
== Related Risks ==
* [http://www.airtahitimagazine.com/us_version/tahiti_mag.asp?num=24&art=2 Marquesan Tattooing - Air Tahiti magazine article]
* [[Bell's Palsy|Bell's Palsy]]
* [[Ear Collapse|Ear Collapse]]
* [[Loss of Hearing|Loss of Hearing]]
* [[Piercing Gun|Piercing Gun]]
* [[Piercing Studs|Piercing Studs]]
* [[Rejection|Rejection]]

Latest revision as of 04:54, 17 September 2023

Helix Piercing

The helix piercing is any piercing through the rim of the cartilage (thus making it susceptible to complications such as Ear Collapse if care is not taken to use proper tools and procedures; for example, Piercing guns have been shown to be capable of causing cartilage to shatter). The innermost part of the helix (closest to the head) is sometimes called an Ear Head Piercing.

Paul King adds, >"In the West the helix piercing is considered only as adornment. However, helix piercings are found on every continent and in many traditional cultures have great importance. >The Dayak of Borneo (tribal names such as Iban and Punan) would wear bear canines in their upper ear cartilage, often connected with intricate bead work. This was considered a sign of a brave headhunter. In the Lmasala clan of the Samburu (Kenya), the mothers of warriors wear their sons' circumcision earrings in their cartilage during their warriorhood."

Helix Piercing
Helix Piercing
Ear Head Piercing
Ear Head Piercing

Alternative Names

Ear Head Piercing
a local term for helix piercings along the inner rim of the ear (ie. closest to the head). The earliest documented one in modern piercing was done by Crystal Cross on Elayne Angel.

See Also

Related Risks

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