Yvonne de Villiers

In Luna’s tradition of using body ornamentation, we feature designs inspired by Hawaiian tattoos on two of our new ukes…..the Tattoo and the Honu. Traditional Hawaiian designs were monochromatic, tattooed in black against brown skin. The patterns and layout were strongly geometric and there were many shapes and symbols which represented the natural island world: stones, waves, fish, sharks, turtles, rain, sun, birds.The pineapple TATTOO design is primarily based on waves and sharks teeth which are also echoed as fret markers. The HONU soprano is based on a stylized Hawaiian turtle (honu), a symbol of longevity and endurance rendered in a Polynesian tattoo style. Fret markers on this instrument are also inspired by sharks teeth.

The traditional technique used to execute these tattoos ia amazing! And looks amazingly painful! Well worth watching.

peace,
yvonne www.lunaguitars.com