On that plane, the bearing if such elaborate tattooing could be distinguished as an ultimate accomplishment. Such practices would most definitely signify maturity, bravery, and even ultimate sexuality. The practice of tattooing was seen to mask the vulnerability of an un-tattooed body. As such the moko could be perceived as a facial mask with right and left complementary elements. Not only did moko make a warrior more fearsome, it exemplified his ability to endure pain.
Oceanic culture arises from a highly dualistic worldview.
The binary opposition is recurrent, particularly in tapu-non tapu relationships. This is represented by the death in life symbolism in the use of red and blue pigment in the tattoo. The moko could well represent the belief of a symbolic bridge spanning the natural and cultural person. Like the right and left aspects of the moko, cohesion achieved completeness only when both aspects are fully recognized. King reported the following answer from an old woman whom he asked why she wanted to undergo the ordeal of a moko.