Original Hei Tiki Pendant Characteristics

Several theories exist but the exact historical meaning and purpose of the hei-tiki remains unclear. It is certain these objects were highly valued by their native owners. So much that they were given names and were thought to accomodate the souls of previous ancestral wearers.

Hei Tiki pendants commonly resembled a human-like being with crossed legs, a to one side tilted head and in most cases, with female genitals.

Typical hei tiki pendants were characterized by a forked tongue, a relatively big mouth shaped like a flattened heart, the iris of the eye existed of a ring of paua shell and, which is typical for Maori carvings, had three fingers to each hand and three toes to each foot.

The Origin of Maori Art

H D Skinner (1886 - 1978) has been British anthropologist lecturer at Otago University, former director of the Otago Museum, first president of the New Zealand Archaeological Association and most of all researcher. Skinner has researched and published many papers about (material) Maori culture and art.

According to Skinner repeating elements in Maori cultural expressions such as "the technical skill, perfection of execution and the tendency towards repetition and symmetrical balance" have their roots in general Polynesian art.

Some motifs like the human figure with two manaias which is, according to Skinner, derived from Melanesia ( a part of the Pacific ocean north and north east of Australia)

Contrary to popular belief it are these two Oceanic regions instead of India, Eastern Asia and America Maori art is most closely connected to.

Original items of practical use which gradually developed over time into "a type of pure ornament showing little resemblance to the implement from which it originally sprang." The hei matau (fish hook pendant) and the hei toki (adze pendant) might be exceptions to this rule.

Source: Evolution in Maori Art

Maori Symbols Explained | Tiki

In some cases supernatural meanings were attributed incorrectly to Maori art works while there were no definite records.

Best (16, vol. 1, p. 294) states that "the mythical Tiki created by Tane was in reality tile personification of the phallus and that the tiki ornament is a fructifying symbol which "bears the sacerdotal name of the linga and its personified form"....

"...However,.... It is evident the hei tiki as a personified form of the phallus is a local myth composed by a particular school after the invention of the hei tiki. It is also curious that an alleged male symbol should be sexed as female.

Another rationalization is that the hei tiki "was made, wholly or partially, in the form of the human embryo". Skinner (74, vol. 41, p. 206) disproved this statement by showing that the tiki did not conform to the anatomical details of the human embryo, except for the large head, which, however, is characteristic of Maori art.

Source: Chapter 12 Personal decorations and Ornaments of 'The Coming of the Maori' nzetc.org

Visit this page for a selection of the most beautiful tiki pendants.

Wooden Maori Carving

Carving representing Ruanui, ancestor of the Māori tribe Te Aupōuri.

Ngāti Ruanui is a Maori tribe (iwi) traditionally based in the Taranaki region of New Zealand.

From the canoe house at Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Waitangi, Bay of Islands, New Zealand. The style of this carving is reminiscent of that of parts of the tropical Polynesian islands.

Note that this carving has four fingers on each hand, rather than the three usual in Maori carvings. It is said the common three fingers resemble birth, life and death. Others state the varying numbers of fingers is not unusual and may be due to regional differences in style, rather than having a symbolic meaning.

Courtesy photo: Kahuroa

Follow this link for hand made, authentic Maori designed bone carvings.

Maori Carving Meanings

Traditional Maori wood and bone carving is based on particular designs with a special significance. Most commonly traditions, ancestral history and religious stories are depicted in the carvings.

Because the Maori had no written language before the Europeans set foot on the coasts of New Zealand the carvings were a vessel to pass on cultural heritage. The carved items e.g. masks, totems, weapons, jewelry and ornaments of buildings were highly respected by the tribe. Many of these objects were considered sacred and were thought to have souls. These treasures are called Taonga by the Maori.

Check out stunning hand carved Maori bone, wood and jade pendants here.

Maori Fish Hooks

The most valued personal Maori jewelry were the hei tiki and hei matau pendant necklaces. Made of bone, greenstone and sometimes stone or wood these treasures (taonga) were heirlooms passed on by generations.

The posession of a well crafted and functional fish hook (hei matau) meant a source of food and income for the family. Later on they also were ascribed a more symbolical meaning based on the abundance of food, wealth and survival themes. Symbolical and mythological meanings of the Maori fish hook are still valued today. Truly beautiful bone and jade carved pieces are still made in New Zealand. Many of these items are crafted by Maori bone carvers. Mythological creatures like the Manaia, Taniwha and other legendary beings are intertwined in the beautiful designs.

Maori Pendants

Ornamental Maori pendants were traditionally worn around the neck as ear jewelry and also as hair combs (heru). These symbolical ornaments, crafted of bone, shell, teeth and stone, were thought to have spiritual and magical protective properties.

Their importance is illustrated by the fact that these artefacts were passed on generation upon generation. The treasured personal amulets were thought of as living entities and many times were given personal names. The most valuable pieces were made of Pounamu (greenstone) in some cases with eyes of paua shell.

Paua Jewelry

Paua is the Maori name of the Abalone shellfish. The Paua shell is famous for its stunning colors that change when looked at from different angles. Abalone (Haliotis Iris) shells are also called Venus' ears or sea ears.

Paua shells are also known as Ormer shells (UK) or opal of the sea. Paua is the Abalone species branche that exclusively lives in New Zealand's coastal waters. It is thought that a combination of these fresh, unpolluted waters and the abundance of kelp gives the paua shell its beautiful blue, green and purple color hues.

Maori used paua shell for the eyes in their carvings. According to Maori mythology the paua eyes (mata-a-ruru) resemble the eyes of the owl. Meaning the carved being disposes of infinite wisdom and knowledge. They also referred to the stars. According to Maori beliefs their ancestors gazed down at them at night. The stars representing ancestral eyes are called 'whetu'.
Parts of paua shells were also utilized to create reflective, flashing fishing hook lures.

Even nowadays beautiful paua jewelry is made. Paua pendants, bracelets, necklaces, rings and earrings and many more. Visit this page to see the most stunning paua jewelry or to read about the legend of Tangaroa.