Hei Matau -- Sold out
SKU:
$0.00
per item
Media; Beef bone and paua shell
Dimensions 1 3/4 in x 1 in
Manaia is said to be a messenger between the earthly world of mortals and the domain of the spirits, and it's symbol is used as a guardian against evil A Manaia is usually depicted as having the head of a bird and the body of a man. However, a manaia is sometimes depicted as a bird, serpent, lizard, seahorse or a human figure in profile which represent and underscore the complexities of a human being's existence or experience.
Hei Matau is taonga (a cultural treasure). It represents not only our land, but also prosperity, fertility and safe passage over water. They also denote the importance of fishing to Māori, and their relationship to Tangaroa god of the sea. Hei Matau represent strength, good luck and safe travel across water.
The fish-hook shape of the hei matau finds its origins in Māori legend, which holds that the North Island of New Zealand was once a huge fish that was caught by the great mariner Maui using only a woven line and a hook made from the jawbone of his grandmother. The Māori name for the North island, Te Ika a Maui ("The fish of Maui") reflects this legend.
It is believed that a carving -- taonga -- 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. When bone carvings are worn on the skin, the pendant changes color as oil is absorbed.
Dimensions 1 3/4 in x 1 in
Manaia is said to be a messenger between the earthly world of mortals and the domain of the spirits, and it's symbol is used as a guardian against evil A Manaia is usually depicted as having the head of a bird and the body of a man. However, a manaia is sometimes depicted as a bird, serpent, lizard, seahorse or a human figure in profile which represent and underscore the complexities of a human being's existence or experience.
Hei Matau is taonga (a cultural treasure). It represents not only our land, but also prosperity, fertility and safe passage over water. They also denote the importance of fishing to Māori, and their relationship to Tangaroa god of the sea. Hei Matau represent strength, good luck and safe travel across water.
The fish-hook shape of the hei matau finds its origins in Māori legend, which holds that the North Island of New Zealand was once a huge fish that was caught by the great mariner Maui using only a woven line and a hook made from the jawbone of his grandmother. The Māori name for the North island, Te Ika a Maui ("The fish of Maui") reflects this legend.
It is believed that a carving -- taonga -- 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. When bone carvings are worn on the skin, the pendant changes color as oil is absorbed.
