HEI TIKI - TRADITIONAL MAORI TREASURES IN MINATURE
HAND CARVED BY ARTISTS OF NEW ZEALAND
VIEW THE HAND CRAFTED BONE CARVING RANGE HERE 
Hei Tiki are often referred to as 'Tiki ', 'Hei' means to wear around ones neck. The Tiki is regarded as a good luck charm when worn and in some areas is also regarded as a fertility symbol. The Tiki is a very ancient symbol and is by far the least understood so there are a number of legends about its meaning. Some say the Tiki came from the stars and that he was the first man of the world. Tiki are also often depicted with webbed feet which suggests a strong link to the creatures of the sea. Tiki was respected as the teacher of all things and the wearer of this symbol is therefore seen to possess clarity of thought, loyalty, great inner knowledge and strength of character. The bone carvings based on Maori designs in particular have special significance.
The pre-European Maori had no written language so tribal history and the stories of the gods were kept using many forms of fine arts and crafts ranging from basket and cloth weaving to complex wood, bone, shell and jade carving. These artifacts were then handed down through generations of tribal elders and became sacred objects or treasures "Taonga", telling the history of a tribe and taking on the spirits of past great leaders and warriors who had worn them.
It is believed that a bone carving which is worn with respect or given and received with love, takes on part of the spirit of those who wear or handle it. In this way it becomes a spiritual link between people spanning time and distance. A carving that has been worn by family or tribal members over many generations contains the spirit of all of those people and is truly a great and powerful treasure.
Every Maori Bone Carving purchased through NZ Pacific is presented with a braided or platted waxed braid cord, along with woven native flax bag designed to show the traditional styling and beauty of the carving.
Also supplied is an attractive information sheet telling of the meaning of the particular Maori Carving .
