Large Māori fishhook wall decoration

Description:

Large Māori fishhook wall decoration

Cool Māori fishhook wall decorations. This is a beautiful contemporary artwork: the fishhook.

The fishhook represents peace, prosperity, good luck, good health and safe travel, especially over water.. 

• Size large Māori fishhook wall decoration:
  3275mmx135mm (10.83"x5.31")

The meaning of Hei Matau:

Hei matau - fishhook

In ancient Māori folklore the exploits of Maui (half God / half man) stand unrivaled. On one such adventure Maui stowed away in the waka (Māori canoe) when his four older brothers departed on a fishing expedition. When they were far from land, Maui revealed himself and convinced his brothers to paddle further out to the deepest sea where the fish would be in abundance.

With his enchanted fish hook which he had fashioned from the jawbone of his great grandmother. And with its paua (abalone) shell eyes to see in the depths of the sea. And a tuft of dog hair to keep the hook warm in the freezing depths and to retain the scent of the bait (blood from his nose) Maui cast his fishing line.As soon as his hook descended to the ocean floor it was devoured by a giant fish.

The ocean foamed and boiled as Maui struggled with all his strength to land the fish. Finally the fish yielded and floated to the surface.Te Ika-a-Maui (the fish of Maui), more commonly known as the North Island of Aotearoa (New Zealand) had arisen in the South Pacific Ocean. Te Waka a Maui (the canoe of Maui) is known as the South Island and Stewart Island is Te Punga a Maui (Maui's anchor).

Source: Mike Carlton - Māori artist

• Or check out the beautiful large Maori manaia trophy >>