Maori Culture Maori Culture
Maori Designs - Their Spiritual Meaning Maori Designs - Their Spiritual Meaning
The designs used in Maori artwork on sale here at ShopNZ.com ( necklaces, pendants, wood carvings, tattoo, etc) all carry a spiritual meaning. Early Maori did not have a written history, so their arts and crafts took on the role of being a record of spiritual values and beliefs, as well as a historical family record.
Bone and greenstone jade ( pounamu) pendants and necklaces, worn against the skin and passed down through the generations, were believed to absorb the spirit of the person who wore them, making them a powerful connection to people passed.
Koru
The Maori Koru design is inspired by the New Zealand fern frond unfurling as it grows. It represents peace, tranquility, personal growth, positive change and awakening. It is associated with new life and harmony, so makes a wonderful gift for a new parent or child, newlyweds, or anyone starting on a new phase of their life.
Single Twist (Pikorua)
A Maori twist symbolises the path of life. It is believed to have been based on Maori kete basket weaving. The path of life takes many twists and turns but carries on regardless. In the case of the Single Twist, the design means the path of life and can be called the Maori Eternity Symbol. It is also considered to be the symbol of undying love between two people.
Double Twist Pikorua or Triple Twist
The Double and Triple Twist depict two new shoots growing together - it represents the joining of cultures, the bonding of friendship for life. The design shows the joining of two people in love or friendship for eternity, so makes a wonderful wedding or friendship gift. The Twist can also relate to the joining of two peoples or cultures.
See all our Maori twist gifts here>>>
Hei Matau (fish hook)
The fish hook was an important resource for Maori, as the sea provided a rich source of food. In Maori mythology, New Zealand was fished up out of the sea by Maui.
The fish hook signifies abundance and plenty, strength and determination. It is believed to bring peace, prosperity and good health. It is a device for catching good luck and energy, and is believed to provide safe journey over water. It is therefore considered a good luck charm by travellers, boaties, fishermen and surfers.
See all fish hook gifts here>>>
Tiki
The Tiki depicts the first mortal born to the Gods. It is also a strong fertility symbol, with the hands on the loins symbolising fertility. The Tiki is a good luck charm, and believed to give the wearer clarity of thought and great inner knowledge.
See all Maori tiki gifts here>>>
Manaia (guardian spirit)
The Manaia has a bird-like head, symbolising flight of the spirit. Its three fingers are believed to represent birth, life and death, symbolising the life cycle of man, or alternatively, the Three Baskets of Knowledge (the knowledge mankind needed from the gods, to be able to live successfully on earth).
Porowhita (Circle)
The closed circle represents the circle of life, and the belief it has no beginning or end.
Whales and Dolphins
Toki (adze)
The Toki (adze) was an important Maori implement, used to chip and shave wood and stone, and sometimes used as a weapon. In bone or greenstone, it was traditionally worn by Maori elders, as it represented power, wisdom and authority.
Roimata (Tear Drop)
Roimata means "tear drop", and is a stylised version of the toki, a long slim shape with rounded corners. The Roimata is a symbol of sadness, so would be given as a gesture of recognition of a person's sadness or loss, and a reassurance that you are there for them and will stand beside them. Sometimes referred to as the comfort stone.
Type Roimata or Drop in the Search box to find all our tear drop items.
Kowhaiwhai (rafter pattern)
Kowhaiwhai is the beautiful scroll-like patterns seen on Maori meeting house ridge poles (tahu or tahuhu) and on the rafters (heke). They are usually painted red, white and black. These rafter paintings usually depict tribal lineage and thus represent authority by descent.
Kowhaiwhai was also seen on gourd water vessels, paddles, and the underside of canoe prows. Nowadays, its incorporation into Maori carvings or art represents the importance and significance of a loving family.
For everything kowhaiwhai click here>>>
Mere
A Maori club, or patu, is called a mere when made from greenstone (pounamu). Spiritually, when worn as an item of adornment such as this necklace, it signifies power and authority.
Stingray (Whai)
The stingray (whai) is a symbol of agililty, adaptability, and strength.
Heart (Manawa)
The heart is the universal symbol of love.
The designs used in Maori artwork on sale here at ShopNZ.com ( necklaces, pendants, wood carvings, tattoo, etc) all carry a spiritual meaning. Early Maori did not have a written history, so their arts and crafts took on the role of being a record of spiritual values and beliefs, as well as a historical family record.
Bone and greenstone jade ( pounamu) pendants and necklaces, worn against the skin and passed down through the generations, were believed to absorb the spirit of the person who wore them, making them a powerful connection to people passed.
Koru
The Maori Koru design is inspired by the New Zealand fern frond unfurling as it grows. It represents peace, tranquility, personal growth, positive change and awakening. It is associated with new life and harmony, so makes a wonderful gift for a new parent or child, newlyweds, or anyone starting on a new phase of their life.
Single Twist (Pikorua)
A Maori twist symbolises the path of life. It is believed to have been based on Maori kete basket weaving. The path of life takes many twists and turns but carries on regardless. In the case of the Single Twist, the design means the path of life and can be called the Maori Eternity Symbol. It is also considered to be the symbol of undying love between two people.
Double Twist Pikorua or Triple Twist
The Double and Triple Twist depict two new shoots growing together - it represents the joining of cultures, the bonding of friendship for life. The design shows the joining of two people in love or friendship for eternity, so makes a wonderful wedding or friendship gift. The Twist can also relate to the joining of two peoples or cultures.
See all our Maori twist gifts here>>>
Hei Matau (fish hook)
The fish hook was an important resource for Maori, as the sea provided a rich source of food. In Maori mythology, New Zealand was fished up out of the sea by Maui.
The fish hook signifies abundance and plenty, strength and determination. It is believed to bring peace, prosperity and good health. It is a device for catching good luck and energy, and is believed to provide safe journey over water. It is therefore considered a good luck charm by travellers, boaties, fishermen and surfers.
See all fish hook gifts here>>>
Tiki
The Tiki depicts the first mortal born to the Gods. It is also a strong fertility symbol, with the hands on the loins symbolising fertility. The Tiki is a good luck charm, and believed to give the wearer clarity of thought and great inner knowledge.
See all Maori tiki gifts here>>>
Manaia (guardian spirit)
The Manaia has a bird-like head, symbolising flight of the spirit. Its three fingers are believed to represent birth, life and death, symbolising the life cycle of man, or alternatively, the Three Baskets of Knowledge (the knowledge mankind needed from the gods, to be able to live successfully on earth).
Porowhita (Circle)
The closed circle represents the circle of life, and the belief it has no beginning or end.
Whales and Dolphins
Toki (adze)
The Toki (adze) was an important Maori implement, used to chip and shave wood and stone, and sometimes used as a weapon. In bone or greenstone, it was traditionally worn by Maori elders, as it represented power, wisdom and authority.
Roimata (Tear Drop)
Roimata means "tear drop", and is a stylised version of the toki, a long slim shape with rounded corners. The Roimata is a symbol of sadness, so would be given as a gesture of recognition of a person's sadness or loss, and a reassurance that you are there for them and will stand beside them. Sometimes referred to as the comfort stone.
Type Roimata or Drop in the Search box to find all our tear drop items.
Kowhaiwhai (rafter pattern)
Kowhaiwhai is the beautiful scroll-like patterns seen on Maori meeting house ridge poles (tahu or tahuhu) and on the rafters (heke). They are usually painted red, white and black. These rafter paintings usually depict tribal lineage and thus represent authority by descent.
Kowhaiwhai was also seen on gourd water vessels, paddles, and the underside of canoe prows. Nowadays, its incorporation into Maori carvings or art represents the importance and significance of a loving family.
For everything kowhaiwhai click here>>>
Mere
A Maori club, or patu, is called a mere when made from greenstone (pounamu). Spiritually, when worn as an item of adornment such as this necklace, it signifies power and authority.
Stingray (Whai)
The stingray (whai) is a symbol of agililty, adaptability, and strength.
Heart (Manawa)
The heart is the universal symbol of love.