Popular Maori Symbol Meanings

What do the Maori words Koru, Tiki, Manaia, Taniwha and Matau have in common? If you place the word Hei, meaning 'to wear around the neck', before them you are talking about Maori pendant designs.

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For example Hei Matau. Matau means hook or fish hook so hei matau are the renowned fish hook pendants. Same way for hei koru which is a unfurling fern pendant. The beauty of this is not only that there are many different designs but they all refer to nature and mythological stories. A few Maori symbol meanings:

Koru symbolizes new life, fertility, growth, strength and peace. This symbol is also used in other (bigger) carvings and tattoos. The circular shape of the Koru resembles perpetual movement while the inner spiral is a metaphor for a return to the point of origin.

In Maori (Polynesian) mythology, Tiki was the first man. Some of the many legends suggest a woman named Marikoriko was the first person. There are also legends stating the tiki design resembles the shape of a god. On the other hand 'tiki' is the Maori word for large wooden carved statues in roughly human shape you can still find in New Zealand .

Manaia is a mythological figure part bird part fish. It is a guardian watching over the wearer of the pendant. Manaia is traditionally linked to the ocean.

Taniwha are supernatural creatures, sometimes described as sea monsters, dragons or serpents. Stories go they attacked people and robbed women but when respected they acted as guardians of a tribe (iwi) They lived in seas, lakes or other waters and were able to change shapes.

More Maori designs, (especially the fish hook) meanings and analysis of the mythological creatures like the Manaia here.