Hei Tiki amulets such as this one have become an
iconic emblem of both the Maori people, who
settled New Zealand around 1000 A.D., and the
modern island nation as a whole. Although they
are well-known today, their origins are obscure
and their meaning remains debatable. The Maori
word “hei” refers to any ornament worn around
the neck, while the term “tiki” applies more
generally to carved human figures made
throughout Polynesia. Tiki is also the name of
the first human in Maori mythology. The
prevailing theory regarding the meaning of these
amulets is that they are depictions of this first
man. Another theory, due in large part to their
form, is that they symbolize human embryos
and, as such, should only be worn by women.
However, this contention is contradicted by the
fact that early European visitors to New Zealand
recorded both men and women wearing such
talismans. It is quite possible that the squat
form of the figure is a byproduct of the density
of the stone and the difficulty of carving and not
a conscious effort on the part of the artist to
depict a fetus. Hei tiki exist not only in jade, but
also in a variety of other precious materials
including bone and ivory. In all cases, the
inherent value of the materials used imply that
tiki were prestige objects, worn by the elite of
Maori society and likely passed down from
generation to generation. This assertion is
reinforced by the fact that in some cases the
suspension perforations have been worn
through, implying usage beyond that of a single
lifespan. The loveliest examples, such as this
one, feature inlaid abalone shell eyes that were
affixed to the stone using red sealing wax.
- (FF.541)
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