| |
|
|
|
|
Tiki
This was the name given to the first man on earth. This particular image is our "thinking tiki" with the head tilted to the side. Where the hand is, is where the strength is. The mouth - having the ability to communicate, the heart - pure and loving, the loins - fertility.
top |
|
| |
|
Mere (Patu, Waihaka)
The mere is a hand club, carved out of bone, wood or pounamu (greenstone). The mere is carried in the warrior's flax belt.
The Mere was a treasured Heirloom, passed from Generation to Generation and usually only Chiefs of high standing possessed them. They were lethal in the hands of a competent warrior, and a Chief would rather be killed by his own Mere, than lose his life to anothers in times of capture.
Nowadays the mere symbolises the facing and overcoming of life's challenges and difficulties.
- facing and overcoming of challenges
- facing and overcoming of difficulties
top |
|
| |
|
Fishhook
Maui fished up the North Island of New Zealand...
A good luck charm giving peace, prosperity, good luck and good health... Also safe travel, espeically over water. For the Maori, the fish hook was very important. "Kai moana", food from the sea... the main source of protein but also important for trade...
Designs were developed to suit every fishing expedition, whether it was to catch the in-shore kahawai or the deep-water hapuku. The shark hooks, for example, had a wooden shaft and a bone barb.
top |
|
| |
|
Fern
The fern, New Zealand's national symbol.
The Maori word for silver fern is 'ponga'. The leaves are dark green at the top and silvery at the bottom, hence the name silver fern.
top |
|
| |
|
Koru
The koru shape is a scroll shape and is linked to the New Zealand fern plant. The shoot of the fern has a curled-over tip which unfurls and becomes a fernleaf.
The koru reaches towards the light, striving for perfection, encouraging new positive beginnings...
The koru, represents the unfolding of new life, that everything is reborn and continues. It represents renewal and hope for the future.
Spiral, geometry of life, sacred creation...
top |
|
| |
|
Kina
Kina is a popular seafood for Maori. Also known as sea-eggs or sea-urchins. There are two better known varieties: the kina ariki (long-spiked) and
the kina korako (short-spiked).
top |
|
| |
|
Paua
Paua, the Maori name for the New Zealand abalone shell. Paua shell has beautiful colours, from green, to blue, to purple...
The Maori use paua as 'kai moana' (sea food); paua shell is also used as taonga (treasures) and in traditional arts and crafts (bone carving, wood carving).
top |
|
Kete brooches
A Maori kete is a bag woven from flax. In the early days, kete were used for food and taonga (treasures).
top |
|
ceramic brooches: greenstone, paua shell, shell |
Kete wallhangers
A Maori kete is a bag woven from flax. In the early days, kete were used for food and taonga (treasures).
top |
|
ceramic kete wallhanger with greenstone, paua shell and shell pieces
|
| |
|
|
_________________________________________________________
© New Zealand Ceramics by Jenni
© all photos, artwork
by www.aotearoa.co.nz
Aotearoa.co.nz promoting New Zealand ceramics,
arts, crafts, gifts, jewelry, glass art, prints and more
|
© All data, information and photos are copyright of www.aotearoa.co.nz It is not allowed to use any data, information, photos or artwork from this site without permission from www.aotearoa.co.nz (in particular for advertising and commercial use, although we will look at each individual case).
Please email us for more information.
|
|
|
