TRADITIONAL MAORI NECKLACE
HAND CARVED BY ARTISTS OF NEW ZEALAND
VIEW THE TRADITIONAL MAORI NECKLACE RANGE HERE
Traditional Maori Necklaces such as the Tiki are ancient symbols and little is understood about these New Zealand treasures. There are a number of legends about their meaning. The Tiki is regarded as a good luck charm when worn and in some areas is also regarded as a fertility symbol. The pre-European Maori did not have a 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 mother-of-pearl jewellery and complex wood, bone, shell and jade or greenstone carving. These artifacts were then handed down through generations of tribal elders and became sacred objects or treasures, telling the history of a tribe and taking on the spirits of past great leaders and warriors who had worn them.
The bone carvings based on Maori designs in particular have special significance. It is believed that a bonecarving 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.
One traditional Maori necklace design is the Tiki, or Hei Tiki, as 'Hei' means to wear around ones neck. 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.
Every Traditional Maori Necklace 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.
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