New Zealand Greenstone Fish Hook Meaning

The circle of life which has no beginning and no end.

New zealand greenstone fish hook meaning. Strength courage and leadership determination and focus. Browse our maori jewellery range. Geologically pounamu are usually nephrite jade bowenite or serpentinite the māori classification of pounamu is by colour and appearance. Strength prosperity abundance power and authority.

It is said to provide good luck and safety when travelling especially over water. The hei matau or maori fish hook necklace is my personal favorite. The fish hook shape of the hei matau means to know which holds that the north island of new zealand was once a huge fish that was caught by the great mariner maui using only a woven line and a hook made from the jawbone of his grandmother. I can only guess but think that because of the strong connection to tangaroa wearing a fish hook over water would ensure safe passage because it shows a level.

Unless otherwise stated all our greenstone pendants are carved in new zealand from new zealand greenstone. In short the fish hook resembles prosperity good luck abundance good health and safe passage over water. The fish hook is exactly what it says on the tin. This common maori design derives from the maori ancestors being seafarers and relying on the ocean to provide.

Legend holds that the shape of hawkes bay is that of the hei matau which caught in the fish s side on the beach. The fish hook was an important resource for maori as the sea provided a rich source of food. It is believed to bring peace prosperity and good health. What s unique about this particular symbol is that it s the only maori symbol that evolved from a tool namely an ordinary fish hook to a.

The fish hook represents strength determination prosperity and good health. Whether you are looking for a jade heart necklace in a sterling silver and diamante settings or a traditional fish hook or manaia bone pendant there is a piece of new zealand treasure just waiting for you. For the indigenous people of new zealand the hei matau represents strength determination peace prosperity and good health and also provides safe journey over water. Matau meaning hook was later work suspended by a cord from the neck as a pendant.

Also in maori myth maui used a magic fish hook carved from the jawbone of his grandmother to pull up new zealand s north island from the bottom of the ocean in the form of a huge fish. Greenstone hei matau fish hook pendant. In maori mythology new zealand was fished up out of the sea by maui. Greenstone greenstone is a term specific to new zealand to describe jade.

Pounamu or greenstone in new zealand english are several types of hard and durable stone found in southern new zealand they are highly valued in new zealand and hardstone carvings made from pounamu play an important role in māori culture. What does a fish hook greenstone mean. It was originally a practical tool used to catch fish but slowly became ornamental particularly when maori began trading with europeans. The fish hook denotes the importance of fishing to the maori people of new zealand and their strong relationship to tangaroa the god of the sea.