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SYMBOLISM
Our New Zealand inspired jewellery comes in many styles including traditional Māori designs steeped in meaning and symbolism. This guide gives some information into the meaning behind some of the symbols used whether choosing a design for yourself or as a gift for a loved one.
Backbone
The backbone or tuara represents strength and reliability.
Butterfly
Many cultures associate the butterfly with our souls. The butterfly represents endurance, change, hope and life.
Carved Face
The carved face or wheku traditionally depicts the face of an ancestor. The wheku was found on the gable at the apex of the wharenui (meeting house) to symbolize the importance of the ancestor.
Christian Cross
The Christian cross, or Latin cross, is a symbol of faith and represents protection as a religious symbol and has huge spiritual meaning, bringing the wearer comfort and peace.
Circle
The circle symbolizes the circle of life with no beginning and no end. It represents inner harmony and balance.
Comb
The ornamental comb or heru was used by Māori men to fasten long hair into a top knot. The heru was usually carved from a solid piece of wood or whale bone and was used to identify the rank of the wearer.
Coptic Cross
The Coptic cross, or Ankh, dates back to ancient Egypt and the ankh is a hieroglyph for ‘breath of life’. The early Coptic Christians incorporated the ankh into their newfound faith.
Dolphin
The dolphin is a symbol of protection and shows an affinity to nature, especially the sea, and a free spirit.
Fish Hook
The fish hook or hei matau represents good luck and safe journeys over the water. For Māori the hei matau is taonga (treasure). In legend the North Island of New Zealand was once a huge fish caught by the great mariner Maui using only a hei matau on a woven line.
Guardian Spirit
The guardian spirit or manaia was traditionally carved with the tail of a fish, body of a man and head of a bird. Modern designs frequently use the marakihau (sea monster) with a whale tail. The manaia is worn as a personal guardian or protection from evil.
Heart
The heart design represents love, emotional balance and compassion.
Gecko
Geckos represent rebirth and life cycles, the circling of energy. They also symbolize there is always hope for rebuilding our own lives.
Jandal
The jandal, a shorted form a Japanese sandal, is considered New Zealand's national footwear. Called thongs in Australia and flip flops in the United Kingdom and United States the jandal is a summer staple around the New Zealand beaches.
Kiwi
The Kiwi is New Zealand's national bird. A flightless bird, kinda goofy looking. A nocturnal bird who uses its long beak to forage for food.
Koru
The fern or koru symbolizes the New Zealand Silver Fern frond and represents new life, growth, strength and peace.
Kōwhai
The Kōwhai tree, native to New Zealand, holds unofficial status as New Zealand’s national flower. It grows throughout the country and is a popular feature in New Zealand gardens as it nectar attracts many native birds. The word kōwhai is also used in Te Reo (the Māori language) for the colour yellow, because of the colour of the flowers which was a source of yellow dye. Māori also used the Kōwhai tree as medicine.
Mere
The mere is short, broad-bladed weapon in the shape of an enlarged tear drop. It was used to strike/jab an opponent in the body or the head, usually made from pounamu or greenstone. A mere is one of the traditional, hand to hand, one-handed weapons of Māori, and a symbol of chieftainship.
New Zealand
New Zealand or Aotearoa is referred to as the ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’. This is said to refer to the cloud formations which helped early Polynesian navigators find New Zealand in the vast Pacific Ocean.
Paddle
The paddle or hoe is used to steer a waka (canoe), it also doubled as a weapon when the need arose. The hoe is a representation of unity—a united team putting all their effort into moving the waka towards a goal.
Pōhutukawa
The Pōhutukawa tree, endemic to New Zealand, has found an important place in New Zealand culture for its strength and beauty, and is regarded as a chiefly tree (rākau rangatira) by Māori. Known as the New Zealand Christmas Tree for its brilliant display of red flowers which usually appear at the start of the New Zealand summer in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Pūkeko
Pūkeko is the New Zealand name for the purple swamphen. Pūkeko are widespread and are as at home in pasture and farmland as they are in wetlands. They are commonly seen along marshy roadsides and low-lying open country. The pūkeko is probably one of the most recognised native birds in New Zealand with its distinctive colourings and habit of feeding on the ground.
Penguin
Penguins are a unique group of flightless seabirds that are at home on land and in the sea. New Zealand has more penguin species on our shores than any other country. Thirteen of the world’s eighteen penguin species have been recorded in the New Zealand region; nine of these species breed here.
Shark Tooth
The shark tooth is a symbol of protection. In Polynesian culture wearing a shark tooth is said to prevent shark attacks and offer protection while at sea. Many surfers wear the charm as a talisman to bring them good luck and safe surfing.
Silver Fern
The silver fern has been an accepted symbol of New Zealand’s national identity since the 1880s. It is used particularly for representing sport. For Māori the shape of the fronds represents strength, stubborn resistance and enduring power.
Taiaha
The taiaha is a weapon used by Māori, and it is the equivalent of the quarter staff. This weapon was a weapon of authority, which was used by chiefs in both attacks and defence. The taiaha was used to distract an opponent thanks to the tufts of feathers that were placed around the neck of the weapon.
Teardrop
The teardrop or roimata is sometimes referred to as the comfort stone. The roimata would be given as recognition of sadness or loss and for remembrance.
Tiki
Traditionally the origin of the tiki suggests a connection with Tiki, the first man in Māori legend. Often carved with hands placed on the loins to represent fertility, the tiki is thought to bring the wearer good luck and clarity of thought.
Twist
The twist or pikorua is said to represent the path of life, which takes many twists but carries on. It also symbolizes the joining of two people for eternity.
Whale Tail
The whale tail is an ancient Māori symbol that offers protection to the wearer. It is said to bring good luck and represents wisdom and longevity.
Yin Yang
Yin Yang is an ancient Chinese symbol that represents the concept of opposite forces being complimentary forming a whole which is greater than the parts. It symbolizes balance and harmony.