Kirituhi – A Possible Alternative
If you are dead set on getting a tattoo that is fashioned in the style of Ta Moko, consider instead kirituhi. Kirituhi is a form of pattern art that looks like Ta Moko, but deliberately does not make any reference to Maori symbolism. Kirituhi literally means “skin art” and the patterns are designed to meet the demands of non-Maori wishing to have similar tattoos.

He Taonga Whakamiharo (Treasures to be Admired)
There are many forms of splendor in the world that we admire from a distance. It is not necessary to kill an animal and display it in your home to enjoy its beauty. Flowers are best appreciated when left alone, rather than picked and allowed to wither and die in a vase. And the sanctity of Maori culture, along with their Ta Moko, is honored most when respected, not imitated.

Maori tradition is full of folklore. It is a culture that I respect very much and I see similarities with the Celtic traditions in Scotland, the land of my birth. I would like to share some aspects of Maori culture and folklore, which are important for me to share. The section relating to school by correspondence (TCS) is called Poutama. We chose this name for the restructuring was initiated by the regionalization of TCS last year at the beginning. I feel privileged to belong to a beautiful part of teachers in Poutama. I am very proud of our name, the name of an ancient wall design of the Maori.

Poutama

Poutama Design is to form a sort of Tukutuku, a traditional Maori art. They are part of the visual narrative in Maori culture. Tukutuku panels are carved and decorative fabrics that are part of the wall mounted indoor traditional Maori meeting are used.
In ancient traditions, symbolized by the advancement poutama Tawhaki a folk hero (pronounced Tafak) received three baskets (kete) knowledge of the gods.

They are:

• Te Kete-aronui – Basket of knowledge that helps us

• Te Kete Ancient time – Basket of knowledge to do with the ritual of remembrance and prayer

• Te Kete-tuat – Shopping Knowledge makutu evil or bad for us.
The interpretation of the word poutama is a person who supports and protects your family, sub-tribe to tribe, as principal or rangatira.

The building symbolizes poutama steps to improve education in the progress and efforts – planning the future of a child – parents, family and tribe. It is believed that the last sign of a leader are.

Mataora, full of guilt and grief after Princess Niwareka followed. After many attempts and after overcoming many obstacles Mataora finally arrived in the kingdom of Uetonga “but his face paint messed and dirty after the trip. Niwareka family mocked and ridiculed for her unkempt Mataora. In his very humble condition Niwareka Mataora forgiveness, which he said finally accepted Niwareka father then offered to teach the art of tattooing Mataora while Mataora Tanika rejected the art of lichens -. borders of the mantle of many colors.

Niwareka Mataora again and therefore the human world and brought the art of Ta Moko and Tanika. Ta Moko, the process. Moko, the product
According to archaeological evidence came Tattoo in New Zealand from eastern Polynesia culture.The bone chisels for tattooing in the archaeological sites of different ages in New Zealand must be found and used in some of the first sites in Polynesia East. Although Maori tattooing practices, there is no evidence that customers Moriori.

New Zealand is at the start of the sites, the widest chisel knives were found, and this gives evidence for the theory that there is a preference for a tattoo of a straight line patterns in the past to be. The head was considered the most sacred part of the body, and because it makes blood tattoo tattoo artisans to carry out, or Tohunga-ta-OKO “People were very tapu. All senior Maori tattooed, and those went without tattoos, seen as having no social status.

Tattoo began at puberty, accompanied by many rites and rituals. Besides appealing to the production of a fighter for women, marked by the practice of tattooing both rites and major events in the life of a person.

There were certain prohibitions in the process of tattooing and facial tattooing, especially sexual intimacy and solid food intake was prohibited. To overcome, liquid food and water is poured into a timber, to ensure that there is contamination of samples swollen in contact with the skin funnel. This was also the only way in which the tattooed person could eat, until his wounds healed.The full facial tattoo was a long time and a good tattoo art of a bone with care before the start of his art.

Their importance is illustrated by the fact that these artefacts were passed on generation upon generation. The treasured personal amulets were thought of as living entities and many times were given personal names. The most valuable pieces were made of Pounamu (greenstone) in some cases with eyes of paua shell.

According to Skinner repeating elements in Maori cultural expressions such as “the technical skill, perfection of execution and the tendency towards repetition and symmetrical balance” have their roots in general Polynesian art.

Some motifs like the human figure with two manaias which is, according to Skinner, derived from Melanesia ( a part of the Pacific ocean north and north east of Australia)

Contrary to popular belief it are these two Oceanic regions instead of India, Eastern Asia and America Maori art is most closely connected to.

Original items of practical use which gradually developed over time into “a type of pure ornament showing little resemblance to the implement from which it originally sprang.” The hei matau (fish hook pendant) and the hei toki (adze pendant) might be exceptions to this rule.

Source: Evolution in Maori Art

One reason for the distinctive character of Maori jewelry and art in general is the fact that the Maori peoples have lived in Aotera (New Zealand) in isolation for centuries. Although since the arrival of Western occupants the cultural heritage has been blended to some extent it still has the marks of hundreds of years of independent cultural development.

Purposes of Maori jewelry were for example to demonstrate social status, use with ceremonial events, and display pride about ancestors.

The meanings of Maori jewelry have to do with several spiritual perspectives. One is that the symbolic shapes contributed to a create a permanent awareness of the descendance of the gods.

Another is to remind and honor ancestors. Also the use of artifacts as information and knowledge vessels is a instigator to the meaning of Maori jewelry. Because of the absence of a written language historic tales and legends were directly related to certain symbols.

According to Maori belief shapes, decorations, patterns and other design elements of Maori jewelry are in direct relationship with the opinion that everything has a spiritual force called mana.

These estethics, and characteristics of things (and living entities) are thought to be a manifestation of mana. This is an indication of how Maori symbols are directly related to their symbolical meanings.

Most commonly used materials to create jewelry were bone and greenstone. Bone came from stranded whales, sea animals, cattle and even humans (both from the own tribe as well as from enemies) Jade was gathered mainly on the South Island.

Greenstone, a very hard type of stone was thought to have magical power. The Maori word for this magical material is pounamu. Common uses were ear and neck pendants, rings, ceremonial clubs and weapons. The most frequently used and highly valued symbol was the Tiki decoration. Tiki is a representation of ancestors. Jewelry such as Tiki pendants were passed on upon generations accumulating spiritual value with each owner.

Other specific symbols are the spiral (koru) which refers to new life and .. and the ..
Find out more about typical Maori jewelry symbols and their meanings here: Maori bone pendants.

Ng?ti Ruanui is a Maori tribe (iwi) traditionally based in the Taranaki region of New Zealand.

From the canoe house at Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Waitangi, Bay of Islands, New Zealand. The style of this carving is reminiscent of that of parts of the tropical Polynesian islands.

Note that this carving has four fingers on each hand, rather than the three usual in Maori carvings. It is said the common three fingers resemble birth, life and death. Others state the varying numbers of fingers is not unusual and may be due to regional differences in style, rather than having a symbolic meaning.

Courtesy photo: Kahuroa

Follow this link for hand made, authentic Maori designed bone carvings.

Because the Maori had no written language before the Europeans set foot on the coasts of New Zealand the carvings were a vessel to pass on cultural heritage. The carved items e.g. masks, totems, weapons, jewelry and ornaments of buildings were highly respected by the tribe. Many of these objects were considered sacred and were thought to have souls. These treasures are called Taonga by the Maori.

Check out stunning hand carved Maori bone, wood and jade pendants here.

Maori wood carvings are characterized by bold three-dimensional forms adorned with intricate, detailed designs. In Maori language this art form is called Whakairo Rakau, meaning; the Art of Woodcarving.

The typical designs represent traditional Maori culture and Maori legends. Also a large deal resembles remembrance of ancestors. Purpose of carving wood was to pass on tribal history, legends and stories of ancestors (whakapapa) This because the Maori had no written language (wood) carvings were an ideal means to capture historic events.

Some of the native woods commonly used are Kauri, Rimu and Totara wood. Objects subject to carving were porches of (meeting) houses, canoes but also smaller items such as walking sticks (tokotoko), weapons (such as the taiaha and wahaika), and ceremonial storage boxes. (waka huia)

A frequently occurring design are human like figures many of which have a provoking appearance . Their purpose was to ward of evil spirits as well as to scare off members of enemy tribes. For this reason they were placed strategically on the front of canoes and on houses. Many carvings were painted red, a sacred color in Maori culture.

Examples of the human-like figures are the tiki and tekoteko both with jutting tongue, also a sign of defiance. Heads were carved in different styles depending on the tribe and their geographical location. Examples are the Tai Tokerau style, Taranaki Style, and Wheku style.

Paua shells are also known as Ormer shells (UK) or opal of the sea. Paua is the Abalone species branche that exclusively lives in New Zealand’s coastal waters. It is thought that a combination of these fresh, unpolluted waters and the abundance of kelp gives the paua shell its beautiful blue, green and purple color hues.

Maori used paua shell for the eyes in their carvings. According to Maori mythology the paua eyes (mata-a-ruru) resemble the eyes of the owl. Meaning the carved being disposes of infinite wisdom and knowledge. They also referred to the stars. According to Maori beliefs their ancestors gazed down at them at night. The stars representing ancestral eyes are called ‘whetu’.
Parts of paua shells were also utilized to create reflective, flashing fishing hook lures.

Even nowadays beautiful paua jewelry is made. Paua pendants, bracelets, necklaces, rings and earrings and many more. Visit this page to see the most stunning paua jewelry or to read about the legend of Tangaroa.