a is a Marquesan symbol for the hammerhead shark and b shows three versions of the traditional Maori motif.
Sharks are a constant presence in the life of Polynesian peoples: they are a common figure in everyday life and they appear in many legends too.
Ancestors are known to often come back in the shape of animals to guide, help and advise their descendants (in Hawaii they are known as 'aumakua),.
While sharks are not always represented fully, the shark teeth motif is an ever present symbol in Polynesian tattooing, testifying its importance and popularity.
This shows how feared and revered were sharks, and their teeth especially.
As an 'aumakua sharks are considered guiding spirits who protect and watch over their kin.
Bonitos belong to the tuna family, and they are an important resource that still plays the lion's share in many traditional Polynesian dishes. The traditional tattoo motif representing their tail, with the characteristic rows of triangles, closely recalls the shark teeth motif, and it's used as a symbol of prosperity and abundance: