I made this for a dear friend of mine in Colorado! :) Hei-Matau with Pawa shell toggel

(Carvings by Boedybones - 2010)
Hei-Matau and Hei-Toki

The examples in these photos are intricately bound traditional Hei-Matau and Hei-Toki. Carvings with this kind of exquisite heavy traditional binding and platted hand woven cords with bound loops are usually not offered to the public. They are often worn by Maori warriors during ceremonial dances or greetings.

Koru, The New Zealand Symbol
The Maori Koru design is scroll/ spiral shaped and is derived from the frond of the New Zealand fern plant.
'Koru' is the Maori word for the new unfurling fern frond. The pattern is used in many Maori and New Zealand art forms and symbolizes new life, regeneration, growth, strength and peace.
For many this design is the symbol for renewal, hope for the future. Because everything continues and is reborn. Or as the ancient Greeks said: 'Panta Rhei': everything flows.

Maori Koru Meaning
symbolics explained

The unfolding spiral tipped shoots of the New Zealand silver fern plant become new fern leaves (fronds). Thus the reference to new life or a new start. The circular shape of the baby fern frond also symbolizes nurturing, purity, tranquility, personal growth, positive change and awakening.Koru's spiral shape resembles the concept of perpetual movement. Its inner coil suggests a going back to the origin. The koru therefore resembles the way in which life both changes and stays the same.Especially in Maori culture these Koru (unfolding shoots) have a strong symbolical meaning. The koru design has been used for centuries in cultural expressions. Art forms like wood, bone and jade carvings, tattoos and so forth featured (and still do) the koru design which nowadays is probably the most iconic symbol of New Zealand (Aotearoa).The Koru pattern also represents tranquility, peace, rebirth, a fresh new start and spirituality. Often associated with nurturing the koru pattern is also used to represent the purity and strength of the bond between people.

Did you know..
The Maori traditionally created their carvings from cattle, albatross, moa (a huge, now extinct, eagle), whale, and even human bone. Types of rock used to carve were; greenstone, argillite, greywacke and serpentine.

Hei-Toki pendant I made a few months ago. Cow bone with emerald stone.

Manaia Hei Matau
Manaia: Guardian Spirit

Manaia is a supernatural being, a spiritual guardian dedicated to ward of danger and to frighten away intruders. Manaia has the head of a bird, the body of a man and a fish tail. These symbolize heaven, earth and sea and the balance between these three elements.

This is my first attempt at carving a Manaia Hei-Matau. Not very detailed but the general shape is there. The Manaia on the left is more recent and has a nice detail to the head.

Spiritual and Mythological Meanings
special hei matau variations

Apart from family and tribal traditions and ancestral spirits Maori carvings also resemble mythological figures. Often they depict supernatural beings from old Maori legends. Therein they represent different spiritual meanings. Examples are good luck amulets like the hei matau based on mythological creatures like; Manaia, Kaitiaki and Taniwha.

Taniwha Hei Matau
Taniwha: Maori Tribal Guardian

Taniwha are Maori mythological water monsters that lived in swamps, deep pools, rivers, dark caves, and the sea. Depending on where the taniwha resided its appearance would differ. At sea, these creatures often appeared as whales or a large sharks.

In inland waters, they looked more like a gecko or a tuatara, having a row of spines along the back. Dragons, octopuses.

Many feared these monsters for their killings and kidnapping of women. but when treated with respect Taniwha would act as guardians.Each tribe had their own taniwha which were guardians and protector of the tribe.Taniwha would kill opponents of their tribe or kidnap the women to have them as their wifes. The hei matau pendant on the photo resembles a taniwha.

Bone Hei Matau
bone fish hook pendants

Most hei matau are made from bone. Traditionally these were carved from whale bone and were used for fishing and worn as jewelry. The latter were family heirlooms passed from generation to generation. Nowadays the main function of the hooks is an ornamental one and they are generally made of cattle bone. They are mostly worn as necklace pendants.

Taonga Necklaces
tale telling carvings

Each carving design has specific meanings or stories behind it. Before Western settlers came to New Zealand the Maori had no written language. Therefore, divine tales and tribal history were passed on utilizing numerous forms of fine artistic creations. Examples of these fine arts were complex wood, jade, bone, and shell carvings.

These artifacts were then passed on by generation upon generation of tribal elders and became sanctified objects. These treasures "Taonga" tell the history of a tribe and are thought to adopt the spirits of past great leaders and warriors who had worn them. Upon today it is believed that a pendant such as the hei matau, which is worn with respect or given and received with love, takes on part of the spirit of the wearer.

Maori carvings have a history that goes back many centuries. Nowadays manufacturers in India and China mass-produce items resembling hei matau which are sold on the New Zealand tourist market and around the world. These practices have attracted criticism for their appropriation of Maori designs.

So don't buy plastic hooks from a tourist trap or beach gift shop when genuine Hei-Matau can be easily purchased here. :)

(Hei-Matau with red Jade stone)

Hei Matau Meaning
The legend of Maui and the magic fish hook

The creation of the fish hook shaped pendants finds its origin in an old Maori legend:

The legend of Maui and the magic fish hook or Te Ika a Maui (The fish of Maui).The essence of this legend is that New Zealand's North Island once was a giant fish which was caught by the half god and legendary seafarer Maui using a woven line and his magic bone fish hook.A look on the map still shows how the shape of the Hawke Bay's coastline resembles a fish hook. More about this legend.For the Maori, the hei matau is a cultural treasure (taonga). It also represents their land and their connection to the sea, the importance of fishing and their relationship to Tangaroa, God of the sea.

This legend and hundreds more were passed down by "Story tellers" for centuries. The Maori, in the beginning, didn't have a written language.

Hei matau are traditionally carved bone or jade Maori fish hook pendants. The indigenous people of New Zealand, The Maori, wore the Hei matau necklaces as a talisman during their travels.These highly stylized fish hooks represent strength, determination, good luck, peace, good health, prosperity and are thought to provide a safe passage across water . It is also said hei matau symbolizes the wearer's power and authority.The art of Maori jade (greenstone) and bone carving has been handed down from generation to generation. These crafty fish hook necklaces are especially loved by kayakers and boaters but getting more popular among the general public as well.

Haere mai (Welcome) to this blog, I hope you will enjoy it.

(Hand carved Hei-Matau Hook Pendant by Nathan Boedigheimer)

Hei-Matau Necklace:

Hei - to suspend or wear from the neck

Matau - hook

A well-crafted fish hook provided the family and community with food. Thus resulting in a family´s increased mana (prestige and power) within the Hapu (part of the tribe).The fish hook was worn around the neck to ensure it wouldn´t get lost or stolen because it was such a valuable possession.

This hook is called a Hei-Matau. Made from cow bone, Pawua shell, artificial sinew and black waxed cotton.

First post 7-25-2010

I'm creating a few new hooks this Summer but it is hard to work in the 97 degree heat! Must work at night with a fan to even breath. But orders must be filled and I hope to start selling at the Riverside Arts Fair in Jacksonville, Fl. this August! Lots of work to do!