Symbols used in Maori Bone and Greenstone carvings

Hei Matau - Fish Hooks
Fish hooks symbolise provision and prosperity. The wearer provides companionship, support in times of need, love and food if the wearer is a hunter or fisherman. It is also said to provide safe journey over water.

Koru - the unfolding fern frond
The symbol of new growth, new life, peace and tranquility. The koru also depicts endearment in the form of the relationship of a parent and a child or husband and wife. The koru can also represent a new begininning.

Hei-Tiki - the first man
The Maori believe Hei-Tiki was the first man in the Maori world; he came from the stars. Hei-Tiki is a powerful good-luck symbol. Tilted head is thinking, hand is strength, mouth communication, heart is love and loins fertility. The wearer of the Hei-Tiki is assumed to be clear-thinking, perceptive, loyal and knowledgeable; their strength is their character.

The Path of life - the figure eight - Twists & crossovers
Single Twist - The figure eight - the path of life, the eternity symbol
Double Twist - Infinity
Triple Twist - the joining together of two people, peoples, two cultures for eternity, even though they experience highs and lows of life they remain bonded by friendship and loyalty for life.

Te Manaia - the Guardian Angel
Te Manaia has the head of a bird, the body of a man, and the tail of a fish, representing the balance between sky, earth and water. Te Manaia as the Guardian Angel, has a special role in the Maori world. It can be described as the unseen light surrounding each individual. Every person on earth has a Guardian Angel.

Circle or Disc:
The circle of life which includes the path of life ever on-going with no beginning or end.

Dolphins & whales:
These are symbols of protection. This symbol of protection encompasses the friendship and companionship words canno express of the complex relationship between these mammals and Maori.

Heart
A symbol of friendship.

Acknowledgement: We wish to thank Matthew Eru Wepa for allowing us to reproduce parts of his book 'Symbols of the Maori World' for the purpose of the above explanations.