Learn about Maori Bone Carving

... and their meanings

Basic Maori bone carving design elements have their own meanings. And most carvings combine elements from several areas of mythology, which interact to tell a story.

Each element of a Maori carving has its own specific meaning and the way in which they are portrayed or combined gives each carving its own special character. For detailed information, each link will take you down this page to a section on each element:

Koru (Spiral)
Twist
Hei-Matau (Fishhook)
Manaia
Tiki
Whales, Dolphins and Turtles

Please note that the correct spelling is Māori but for "internet purposes" we need to use "Maori"...

Koru Bone Carvings
The Koru represents the fern frond as it opens, bringing new life and purity to the world. It also represents peace, tranquility and spirituality along with a strong sense of re-growth or new beginnings.

The Koru is also often associated with nurturing so when, in a Maori bone carving, it is interlocked with others it is frequently used to represent the strength and purity of a loving relationship within a family.

It is often intertwined with other forms such as Twists and Matau to tell a very special and powerful story. And when combined with a closed circle it links love and new life or new beginnings with the circle of life. No beginning nor end. Seamless. Of which we are all a part.

The circle also tells of the stars and planets, part of the circle of life, and containing the knowledge of our origins. For an artist the circle represents the relationship or oneness between the artist and his craft, bringing together head, hand and heart.

As a gift, the Koru captures the depth of feeling of the giver. And the hope of new beginnings...

Twist Bone Carvings
The twist with its crisscross form represents the many paths of life and love and as such is regarded as the original eternity symbol.

The single twist in particular shows the joining together of two people for eternity. Even though they sometimes move away from each other on their own journeys, they will always come together again sharing their lives and blending to become one. It tells how the strength of bond of friendship, loyalty and love will last forever.

The double and triple twists have a similar meaning but refer more to the joining of two peoples or cultures rather than individuals. Twists are often intertwined with other elements such as Koru and Matau in Maori bone carving and combine to tell a very special and powerful story.

Hei-Matau Bone Carvings
These very stylised Maori bone carving fish hooks represent strength, prosperity, abundance, fertility and a great respect for the sea. They were used as a practical tool for fishing and were often decorated as a sign of respect for the creatures of the sea. Some also incorporate inlays of beautiful rainbow coloured Paua shell.

Hei-Matau are also symbols of power and authority, which are held in great reverence by the Maori people. And are said to provide good luck and safety when traveling over water. They are often worn by travelers.

Manaia Bone Carvings
The Manaia is an ancient mythical being with a bird's head and a human form. It is said to be the messenger between the earthly world of mortals and the domain of the spirits. It illustrates the strong links the Maori people have with spirituality and the spirit world.

It is a holder of great spiritual energy and is a guardian against evil. The Manaia can be seen blended into many Maori bone carving designs with subtle differences between tribes.

The Manaia is often depicted with the three fingers of birth, life and death. It can also be shown with a fourth finger representing the afterlife, describing and completing the circle of life.

The Sacred Tiki Bone Carvings
The Tiki is a very ancient symbol and is by far the least understood. So there are a number of legends about its meaning.

Some say he came from the stars and that he was the first man of the world. He is also often depicted with webbed feet which suggests a strong link to the creatures of the sea.

Tiki was respected as the teacher of all things and the wearer of this symbol is therefore seen to possess clarity of thought, loyalty, great inner knowledge and strength of character.

The Tiki is regarded as a good luck charm when worn and in some areas is also regarded as a fertility symbol.

Given such standing, you can understand why Maori are particularly unhappy with the plastic, mass-production of this ancient and mythical symbol...

Dolphin, Seahorse & Whale Bone Carvings
The ocean has always been the dominant force for the Maori people who traveled huge distances in their long canoes and lived on the bounty of the tropical waters.

They had a great respect for the creatures on the sea and in particular dolphins and whales.

The whale with its great size and obvious intelligence played an important part in the culture of the Maori people. They were often represented as an example of family love with Maori bone carvings showing mother and calf always side by side and touching at every opportunity.

Beached whales were treasured as gifts from the gods. They were particularly prized for the bone which after several years of curing was used to carve ornate jewelry and art works, often passed down for many generations.

A dolphin is a symbol of playfulness, harmony and friendship. While the turtle is the sign of a navigator.

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