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.
Showing posts with label matau. Show all posts
Showing posts with label matau. Show all posts
Hei Matau - Maori Fish Hooks
Symbolics of Hei Matau Explained
Hei Matau are Maori fish hooks initially carved from whale bone. Since the dawn of history the Maori peoples carved these fish hooks to use them for fishing. But they were also created as pieces of jewelry. Many of these artefacts have been passed on generation by generation. These family heirlooms were commonly worn as pendants on necklaces.
Fishermen, being food gatherers, were held in high regard in the Maori society. This respect was also based on the skills they possessed to create fishing gear of whale and other bone, shell and wood. That's why hei matau symbolizes power and authority. Some special designs are still worn by Maori warriors when performing ceremonial dances. Apart from that its also a sign of respect for and dependence of the sea and its creatures.
Nowadays only its symbolic purpose remains. Hei matau symbolizes prosperity. In ancient Maori times fish was that abundantly available that simply owning (and using) a fish hook meant prosperity. Today it also symbolizes abundance, fertility and strength. They are given to beloved ones as good luck charms, particularly for those traveling over water.
The wearer is a source of friendship, love, companionship and help in times of need. So by giving a hei matau to someone as a present you make a firm and positive statement about how you think about that person.
Check out the following page for really stunning, hand carved by Maori master carvers, hei matau.
Hei Matau are Maori fish hooks initially carved from whale bone. Since the dawn of history the Maori peoples carved these fish hooks to use them for fishing. But they were also created as pieces of jewelry. Many of these artefacts have been passed on generation by generation. These family heirlooms were commonly worn as pendants on necklaces.
Fishermen, being food gatherers, were held in high regard in the Maori society. This respect was also based on the skills they possessed to create fishing gear of whale and other bone, shell and wood. That's why hei matau symbolizes power and authority. Some special designs are still worn by Maori warriors when performing ceremonial dances. Apart from that its also a sign of respect for and dependence of the sea and its creatures.
Nowadays only its symbolic purpose remains. Hei matau symbolizes prosperity. In ancient Maori times fish was that abundantly available that simply owning (and using) a fish hook meant prosperity. Today it also symbolizes abundance, fertility and strength. They are given to beloved ones as good luck charms, particularly for those traveling over water.
The wearer is a source of friendship, love, companionship and help in times of need. So by giving a hei matau to someone as a present you make a firm and positive statement about how you think about that person.
Check out the following page for really stunning, hand carved by Maori master carvers, hei matau.
