Tamoko

. Ancestry is indicated on each side of the face.

. The left side is generally (but not always, depending on the tribe) The father's side, while the right hand side, indicates the mother's ancestry 

. Descent was a foremost requirement before a Moko could be undertaken. 

. If one side of a person's ancestry was not of rank, that side of the face would have no Moko design. Likewise if , in the centre forehead area there is no Moko design, this means the wearer either has no rank, or has not inherited rank.  

Characteristics of a Moko

. Use of curvy lines and patterns rather then straight lines. 

. The design never crosses the center of the face

. The design is symmetrical in most cases.

. The tattoo crates grooved scarring on the skin

. Bold Lines

. Repetition of specific designs