Okay, so I’ve been thinking about getting a tattoo for a while now, and I finally decided to go for it. And not just any tattoo, but a traditional Polynesian Pe’a, inspired by Tai Tuivasa, that UFC fighter who’s always repping his Samoan heritage. I saw him after his fight with Augusto Sakai at UFC 269, and I was just blown away, not just by the win but also his spirit.
I started digging around, trying to learn more about these Pe’a tattoos. I found out that they’re a big deal, a real mark of his culture, apparently. They say getting one of these is a spiritual journey, connecting you to something bigger. I ain’t religious, but I do believe in some higher power, you know? So this felt like it could be something special for me, too.
So, I started looking for artists who could do this kind of work. I went online, found some designs that I liked, and then I found an artist who had a solid portfolio of traditional Polynesian tattoos. We chatted, and I told him I wanted something inspired by Tai Tuivasa’s Pe’a, but also something that felt like my own, you know?
The Process of Getting the Tattoo
Man, let me tell you, getting this tattoo was an experience. I went in, and the artist started by drawing the design on my skin. He was using this special tool, tapping away, and the sound of it…it’s like something you hear in your head forever. It hurt like hell, but it was also kind of meditative. We talked a bit about Tai Tuivasa, his fights, and what the Pe’a means. The artist told me about how Tai’s proud of his roots, and how this tattoo is a way of showing that.
- First, we looked at some designs together, and I picked out elements that I liked.
- Then, he started freehanding the design on my skin, making sure it flowed with my body.
- After that, the actual tattooing began. The tapping, the pain, the focus – it was intense.
- Finally, after hours, it was done. My own Pe’a, inspired by Tai Tuivasa, but unique to me.
A Finished Piece
It’s been a few weeks now, and the tattoo’s healed up nicely. I still look at it every day and think about the whole process. It’s more than just ink on my skin. It’s a reminder of my own strength, my own journey, and yeah, maybe a little bit of that warrior spirit that Tai Tuivasa embodies. This wasn’t just about getting a cool tattoo; it was about connecting with something deeper, something that feels real and powerful. And man, I’m glad I did it.
