Many individuals use an ocean tattoo as a metaphor for mystery, depth of character, and the intricacy found in the human mind.

Other wave tattoo ideas hold symbolic meaning: many people live their lives at or near the water and are tied to the waves, the flow of the tide, or find magic in creatures living underwater. 

The depth of oceans, their dark vastness making up more than 90% of the world’s surface, and the fact we humans cannot breathe underwater unaided, provides traction to the concept of mystery in amazing tattoo designs. Their sheer size and difference within them make for brilliant tattoo ideas, from minimalist tattoo ideas to elaborate Tahitian tattoos.

Source: @so.hktattoo via Instagram

6. The Wave in Tribal Tattoo

Source: @tats_by_phats via Instagram

The traditional tattoos of the Polynesian culture date back to the Bronze age. The wave is an essential element at all levels of Polynesian and tribal tattoo design. They are used as part of the intricate black ink patterns Islander people choose to tell their life stories.

Within the cultural context of Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, the NZ Maori, and the Hawaiian Islands, these tattoos have very specific meanings attributed to different patterns and designs, with the wave being one of the most depicted symbols on the skin, often combining with other important symbols, such as the moon or sun.

Traditionally, a Polynesian tribal tattoo is associated with specific tribes from different parts of the Islands, hence why there are some slight variations in body art style.

Many of the patterns in Polynesian culture and tattooing are drawn from nature, with the layered designs referencing the fishing, hunting, and warrior lifestyle that sustained Islanders for thousands of years.

Tribal tattoos refer to events, life achievements, tribal status, and personal journeys, while in the past, achievements in battle were also signified by body art.