What is a Maori tiki called?

What is a Maori tiki called?

The hei-tiki (/heɪˈtɪki/) is an ornamental pendant of the Māori of New Zealand. They are commonly called tiki by New Zealanders, a term that originally refers to large human figures carved in wood and to the small wooden carvings used to mark sacred places. (The word hei in Māori can mean “to wear around the neck”.)

Can anyone wear Hei Tiki?

Usually carved of green nephrite or a jadelike stone called pounamu that is found along the western coast of the South Island, hei-tikis normally are worn only by women. The object is believed to possess magical powers that increase as it is passed on from generation to generation.

Is the tiki only found in New Zealand?

While it is tiki in Aotearoa and the Cook Islands, it is ti’i in Tahitian and ki’i in Hawaiian. As a cultural expression, the greenstone hei tiki ornament worn by the Maori of Aotearoa is globally recognised, but what may not be known is the long history of the hei tiki, which is specific to New Zealand.

What does the manaia represent?

The Manaia is traditionally believed to be the messenger between the earthly world of mortals and the domain of the spirits, and its symbol is used as a guardian against evil. In this form, it is usually represented in a figure-of-eight shape, the upper half culminating in a bird-like beak.

What are Polynesian carvings called?

By extension, a tiki is a large or small wooden or stone carving in humanoid form, although this is a somewhat archaic usage in the Māori language. Carvings similar to tikis and coming to represent deified ancestors are found in most Polynesian cultures.

What is a pounamu stone?

Pounamu is a hard, highly valued stone mainly found as boulders. It is also called greenstone or New Zealand jade. It is treasured by Māori because: it is strong and beautiful. it is a sign of status or power.

How many fingers does a tiki have?

“Tradition says that Rua had but 3 fingers on each hand, and as a tribute to his memory, the Maori carvers of note all portrayed their human figures with 3 fingers only on each hand.” 4 The hei-tiki conforms to this tradition, and, in addition, has but 3 toes on each foot.

What does a tiki necklace mean?

The Maori tiki symbolizes fertility and childbirth. The frequently occurring hands placed on the loins are said to illustrate this meaning. As a necklace it is used as a good luck charm. A protector against evil spirits. Above all the Maori tiki is also a symbol of commemoration of ancestors.

Is a tiki male or female?

In Māori mythology, Tiki is the first man created by either Tūmatauenga or Tāne.

Why are tikis made?

Tiki statues were carved to represent the image of a certain god and as an embodiment of that specific god’s mana, or power. With well-formed tikis, perhaps the people could attain protection from harm, strengthen their power in times of war and be blessed with successful crops.

Why do Māori carvings have 3 fingers?

Discusses the spiritual significance and meaning of the three fingered figures of Maori carving. Mentions three Maori gods and the three baskets of knowledge.

What do bone carvings mean?

Bone carving encompasses the acts of creating art, tools, and other goods by carving animal bones, antlers, and horns. It can result in the ornamentation of a bone or the creation of a distinct object.

What is the best tiki sculpture in Polynesia?

The best-known Sculpture in Polynesia comes from the New Zealand Maori. Other Tiki sculpture is rare but also highlty collectible. This article is about old authentic tiki Figures and doe not cover Tiki Carvings made for sale. Polynesia was not the only region in the Pacific to produce sculptures. New Guinea sculptures are as varied.

What is Maori Tiki made of?

Maori Tiki. Tiki or heitiki are most commonly made from nephrite, a stone related to jade and found in several places in New Zealand’s South Island. It is called pounamu in Maori, greenstone in New Zealand English. The Maori name for the South Island, Te Wai Pounamu, refers to this stone.

What is Maori art in Polynesia?

Maori Art from New Zealand is the most well known in Polynesia. The Maori was not the only region in the Pacific to produce sculptures. Other areas in Polynesia and New Guinea also had artifacts but the styles and uses varied.

What are some Maori artifacts found in New Zealand?

The tiki in the form illustrated here is unique to New Zealand and arguably the most archetypical Maori artifact, although the word tiki applied to fertility symbols is extremely common throughout polynesia. Greenstone, like jade, is a beautiful stone – classed as semi-precious – and quite variable in appearance. The varieties have Maori names.