02/10/2026
Håfa Adai!
Si Yu’os Ma’åse’ (Thank you) in CHamoru (Chamorro) to Aja for her trust. She is deeply proud of her CHamoru (Guam) heritage, and I was honored to create this custom freehand tattoo for her.
I’m often asked whether I use or know of any traditional CHamoru tattoo patterns. As of now, there is no archaeological evidence, documentation, or confirmed records of ancient tattoo tools or tattoo imagery in CHamoru culture. That said, the absence of physical evidence doesn’t diminish the cultural richness that exists in other forms.
For this piece, my client and I drew inspiration from ancient CHamoru pottery, specifically Marianas Redware, a form of early pottery dating back about 3,500 years (1500 BC) to the first settlers of the Mariana Islands. Known for its thin walls, red slip, and lime-filled carved designs, this pottery belongs to the Pre-Latte period and stands apart from the later Marianas Plainware.
Today, Marianas Redware is often referred to as Early Calcareous Ware (ECW), as not all pieces feature a red slip, but all were crafted using coral sand (calcareous) temper.
Together, my client and I chose patterns from this pottery that could be translated into meaningful and visually striking tattoo patterns. One of my goals is to explore the symbolism and meanings behind these patterns. I also incorporated contemporary Polynesian motifs.
It’s also important to recognize that ancient CHamoru were skilled navigators and fishermen, a truth I’ve come to appreciate through my research into this beautiful and vibrant culture.
As a tattoo artist I always try to show the utmost respect for all peoples of Oceania that I draw from for inspiration when creating my custom tattoos.
Thank you for looking!
🦎Marlo🦎
