Final answer:
The art of tattooing in Maori culture, or ta moko, is a sacred tradition with designs that reflect their genealogy and personal history. While the question does not provide an exact legend for the origin of tattooing among the Maori, it is an integral part of the Polynesian cultural heritage, with connections to natural forms and the social hierarchy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Polynesian ancestor who brought the art of tattooing to the Maori is not explicitly described in the options provided. Tattooing is deeply embedded in Polynesian culture, where body art has been used to establish identity, personality, and status. This practice reflects the Maori's reverence for their cultural heritage and social rank, reminiscent of the warrior cultures witnessed among Tongan and Samoan societies.
In Maori tradition, tattooing or ta moko is a highly skilled art form, often featuring intricate and curving designs that are deeply symbolic and represent the person's genealogy and personal history. Ta moko is considered a sacred ritual in Maori society. Despite the lack of specific legends in the provided text pointing to the origin of the art form in Maori culture, their practice of tattooing was well established by their ancestors and played an essential role in their social structure.
Polynesian navigation and settling of distant islands underscore their profound connection to and understanding of the natural world, as does their art. Polynesian art often uses natural forms and materials, and this affinity for nature is reflected in the styles and patterns of their tattoos, including the Maori moko.
Ta Moko was not only a form of expression but also connected to the natural world from which the Maori drew their inspiration, and their tattoos often feature organic shapes like spirals and twists, which mirror natural patterns.