Description:
Huge Māori Manaia trophy
This beautiful contemporary Māori manaia trophy is HUGE, (60cm / 23.62"). In the first photo you can see the huge Māori manaia trophy next to the large Maori manaia trophy (30cm / 11.81"). It portrays the typical serpentine form of 'Te Manaia'. This stunning artwork is crafted from plantation grown hardwood and embellished with NZ paua (abalone) shell. This manaia on a stand is a popular Māori trophy or award for any special occasion or event: conferences, seminars, colleagues, corporate gift, birthday gifts...We can organise engraving for this huge Māori manaia trophy (up to 20 words).
Size huge Māori manaia trophy with stand
- 600mmx280mm (23.62"x11.02")
- Stand: 250mmx120mm (9.84"x4.72")
Engraving
We can organise engraving for you for up to 20 words.
Or check out our large Māori manaia trophy.
The meaning of 'Te Manaia'
Manaia - spiritual guardian. The manaia is a guardian spirit (a supernatural being) and plays an important role in the Māori world. According to the Māori every person on Earth has a Guardian Spirit which can be described as an unseen light surrounding each individual.During life this guardian is a protector from evil and untimely accident. And at death the guardian guides the spirit of the departed person safely to a spiritual doorway where it is re-united with the ancestors from the ancient homeland of Hawaiki.
Te Manaia (the manaia) are usually depicted in side profile, symbolising their role as messengers (ie. part in the spirit world and part in the earthly world). They normally have the had of a bird (sky) the body of a man (earth) and the tail of a fish (sea) symbolic of the balance they have between the realms. The three fingers and toes have varied tribal meanings. To some they represent birth, life and death.
To others they represent the three baskets of knowledge.
And yet to others faith, hope and love. Sometimes Te Manaia is depicted with a fourth finger, symbolising the afterlife.
Source: Mike Carlton - Māori artist





