HEI TIKI - TRADITIONAL MAORI BONE CARVING
The Tiki is considered a good luck charm when worn and in some regions is also regarded as a fertility symbol. Hei Tiki are often referred to as 'Tiki ', as 'Hei' means to wear around ones neck.
The Tiki is an ancient symbol and is by far the least understood, so there are a number of legends around its meaning.
Some say Tiki came from the stars and that he was the first man of the world. Tiki are also often depicted with webbed feet - suggesting a strong link to sea creatures.
Tiki was very respected, seen as the teacher of all things. The wearer of a Tiki Bone Carving Necklace is therefore seen to possess clarity of thought, strength of character, loyalty, and great inner knowledge.
The bone carvings based on Maori designs, in particular, have special significance.
Pre-European Maori had no written language, therefore tribal history and the stories of the gods were kept using 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, or "Taonga", telling the history of tribes and taking on the spirits of past great leaders and warriors who had worn them.
It is believed that bone carvings worn with respect or given and received with love, take on part of the spirit of those who wear or handle it. It becomes a spiritual link between people spanning time & 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 powerful and great treasure.
Every bone carving purchased through NZ Pacific is presented with a braided or platted waxed braid cord, along with native flax bag woven to show the traditional styling and beauty of the carving.
Also supplied is an attractive information sheet telling the meaning of the particular Maori carving.
