Maori Jewelry Meanings | Symbolics and Cultural Significance

Maori jewelry is not only valued across the world for its unique, recognizable style but also for its rich symbolics, its cultural significance and mythological references. In short, Maori jewelry is appreciated for its beauty and meanings.

One reason for the distinctive character of Maori jewelry and art in general is the fact that the Maori peoples have lived in Aotera (New Zealand) in isolation for centuries. Although since the arrival of Western occupants the cultural heritage has been blended to some extent it still has the marks of hundreds of years of independent cultural development.

Purposes of Maori jewelry were for example to demonstrate social status, use with ceremonial events, and display pride about ancestors.

The meanings of Maori jewelry have to do with several spiritual perspectives. One is that the symbolic shapes contributed to a create a permanent awareness of the descendance of the gods.

Another is to remind and honor ancestors. Also the use of artifacts as information and knowledge vessels is a instigator to the meaning of Maori jewelry. Because of the absence of a written language historic tales and legends were directly related to certain symbols.

According to Maori belief shapes, decorations, patterns and other design elements of Maori jewelry are in direct relationship with the opinion that everything has a spiritual force called mana.

These estethics, and characteristics of things (and living entities) are thought to be a manifestation of mana. This is an indication of how Maori symbols are directly related to their symbolical meanings.

Most commonly used materials to create jewelry were bone and greenstone. Bone came from stranded whales, sea animals, cattle and even humans (both from the own tribe as well as from enemies) Jade was gathered mainly on the South Island.

Greenstone, a very hard type of stone was thought to have magical power. The Maori word for this magical material is pounamu. Common uses were ear and neck pendants, rings, ceremonial clubs and weapons. The most frequently used and highly valued symbol was the Tiki decoration. Tiki is a representation of ancestors. Jewelry such as Tiki pendants were passed on upon generations accumulating spiritual value with each owner.

Other specific symbols are the spiral (koru) which refers to new life and .. and the ..
Find out more about typical Maori jewelry symbols and their meanings here: Maori bone pendants.