DAY 43. - Ta Moko

" Part of my Ta Moko was done traditionally using an “uhi” – to honour an amazing friend I lost to cancer. It had to be on my right side – in taha Maori, right is feminine – this, to honour my mother. There are elements of my sexuality – wahine moe wahine… takatāpui! The two female figure heads – my spirituality… Hine Titama (the dawn maiden – to guide through life) & Hine-nui-te-po (the guardian to our dead souls – to guide through death). The various manaia – a symbol of protection – each of these represent my tupuna (grandparents), mātua (parents), teina (sister) & tungane (brother). Overall, the foundations of ME! " ~ Kati