Dwayne Johnson, also known by his ring name The Rock, is sharing a reflection on his cultural legacy.
​The former professional wrestler posted a shirtless photo of himself on his Instagram account, revealing the deeper meaning behind the extensive tattoo on his left shoulder.
In the candid post, she showed off her “tatou”, a sacred Polynesian tattoo, and shared that the artwork spanning her shoulders down her back and chest is her way of expressing gratitude to her “ancestors” and her “life past.”
​”Art that is forever,” she began in the caption, “Each symbol, each marking, tells a very personal story that is a reflection of my gratitude to my ancestors and my life’s past, my inspired hope for the future of life, and the most important part of my life’s story – living fully in the present.”
Jumanji The actor also revealed that the intricate artwork, designed by artist Frederick “Po’oino” Yrondi, took three sessions and more than 60 hours to complete.
​He added, “My tattoo artist and I talked for hours, we definitely drank our kava, we definitely prayed ~ then we went to work.”
Paying tribute to the tattoo artist, she said, “Love and respect to the exceptionally talented Mr. Frederick “Po’oino” Yrondi, whose artistry is reflected in the tattoos that have for two decades been a symbol of our culture, heritage and stories that have helped shape me, and which I will proudly carry with me forever.”
​For those who don’t know, The Rock’s roots are African-Canadian as his mother, Ata Johnson, is Samoan, while his father, Rocky Johnson, was a Black Nova Scotian from Canada. Samoans are a cornerstone of Polynesian culture.
