What does Moana’s new tattoo mean for her future?

Warning: This story contains spoilers Moana 2.

In Polynesian culture, tattoos hold incredible meaning and generally represent aspects of one’s family, history and cultural legend.

That’s definitely true MoanaMaui (Dwayne Johnson), the demigod of the world, whose tattoos are animated representations of his past (they even move!). But Maui is no longer the only one with impressive ink.

In Moana 2, Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) almost dies trying to reach the sunken island of Motufetu. She swims deep into the ocean to touch land, breaking the curse of the evil god Nalo. As Maui goes to save her, he sings a mournful song and welcomes all of her ancestors, including Moana’s grandmother Tala (Rachel House). They breathe new life into Moana, and when she wakes up, she has a new tattoo – the symbol of the mountain peaks and stars above Motufetu, which she first found on a piece of pottery, setting her journey in motion.

But what does this tattoo that magically becomes inked on Moana’s arm mean?

The film itself deals cautiously with the symbolism of the new body art. “So does that mean?…” Moana asks, seeming to wonder if she is now a demigod like Maui. He replies: “That my tattoos are cooler than yours? Yes.”

Reflect on the moment Weekly entertainmentJohnson says he thinks “it’s safe to assume she’ll become a demigod,” adding, “I really appreciate how it was executed and written.”

Cravalho also hints at Moana’s new status as he speaks about her newly minted title at the beginning of the film: Tautai. “That means she’s a master navigator,” she tells EW. “I love that we’re bringing this Indigenous story to the big screen, but without giving too much away, Moana’s title changes a few times. Is she a princess? Is she a TauTai? Is she more?”

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While Johnson and Cravalho speak from their characters’ perspectives, co-writer and co-director Dana Ledoux Miller confirms that Moana’s tattoo means exactly what Moana believes – that she has achieved a new status and/or a power that she shares of gods and demigods. “Yes,” Miller says about whether or not the tattoo makes Moana a demigod. “But we don’t yet know exactly what that means for their future.”

Between this and the post-credits scene, we’re excited for more Moana.