Samoan fish hook tattoo bifold wallet - Art: "Makau" by Sulu'ape Si'i Liufau

Makau by Sulu'ape Si'l Liufau. 

Motifs and Meanings*: Accomplishment  

Samoan tatau artist Si’i Sulu’ape Liufau is a passionate fisherman , and chose the overarching images of a fish hook on the front of the wallet and the mana lua navigational motif on the back. 

He combines traditional Samoan motifs that speak of strength (shark’s teeth), discipline (the fish on the back of the bifold), and taking care of one’s family (the fa’asigano motif in the outer corners on the front).

Si'i also includes the practical matters of your daily path in life to earn money, and holding on to your money – perfect for a wallet! 

In combination, the motifs express what’s needed for our accomplishments in life. 

A magical fish hook plays a large role in Polynesian legends.  The demi god Maui pulled up the Polynesian islands with a fish hook. There’s also a legend of a magical fish hook that caused fish to jump into the fisherman’s boat and nearly sank the boat with their weight.