Hei-Tiki

A Hei -Tiki (also Hei -tiki ) is an ornament of the Māori of New Zealand, which is worn around the neck.

Materials

Hei - tiki are usually made of pounamu ( greenstone ) and worn around the neck. Erroneously, they are often called Tiki. Tiki are actually large human figures carved from wood, or small wood carvings, mark the holy places.

The most valuable Hei -Tiki are made of greenstone ( pounamu or ). New Zealand Greenstone consists of either nephrite (a form of jade ) or ( Tangiwai called ) from Bowenit. Pounami is highly respected by the Māori for its beauty, durability and hardness, it is used not only for decoration but also for carving tools or weapons. In the language of Māori the different types of Greenstone Kahurangi be ( bright green ), inanga ( whitish ), kawakawa ( slightly transparent ) just called and Tangiwai ( Bowenit ).

Types of Hei -Tiki

There are two main types of Hei -Tiki. The one kind has long been common, and is seen in one third of Hei -Tiki. The relationship between the head and body is 30/70, they are rich in details like ears, elbows or knees. The head is in an oblique position, one hand sits at the hip, the other on the chest. The eyes are not as big as in the second type, which is generally difficult, has a head - body ratio of 40/60. Both hands sitting at the hip.

Popularity

Among other taonga ( precious possession ) that are worn for ornament, bone carvings are used in the form of earrings or necklace. For many Māori wearing this jewelry is an expression of their cultural identity. Increasingly, such jewelry for New Zealanders of all backgrounds popular, as a sign of identity of New Zealand in general. Jewelry of this kind is now being exported. Especially popular is for example a fish hook ( Hei Matau ), carved out of bone. Some actors have worn such jewelry, such as Viggo Mortensen in The Lord of the Rings movie. This may have contributed to the worldwide interest in Māori culture and art.