Samoan tattoos have a long history in the world of skin art. It is said the word tattoo is actually derived from the Polynesian word tatua, and the art of Samoan tattoos is reminiscent of the very first tattoos ever produced by man.

The style is largely tribal in nature and it is never colored.

They only use black ink, but the varying levels of skill and shading allow some Samoan tattoo artists to create real works of master-level art.

Many Samoan tattoos include a lot of sea-oriented features, like water, waves, seashells, and many others. The tattoos are generally large, covering most of the area of the body where they reside. The theme of the tattoo and therefore its meaning is derived from the actual image itself, although the Samoan style typically represents power, protection, and peace.

Many Samoan tattoos also incorporate an abstract effect by creating repeating patterns of stylized objects made to look ornate as opposed to realistic.

Samoan tattoos typically incorporate a lot of complexity, and as such they require a good amount of skill and time to produce. However, they are certainly worth the effort and the cost, especially for those who have a deep connection to the Samoan image they are having adorned on their body.