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The hei-tiki ( / heɪˈtɪki /) [1] is an ornamental pendant of the Māori of New Zealand. Hei-tiki are usually made of pounamu ( greenstone ), and are considered a taonga (treasure) by Māori. They are commonly called tiki by New Zealanders, a term that originally refers to the first mortal. (The word hei in Māori can mean "to wear around the ...
Hei-tiki are carved jade necklaces that connect wearers to their ancestors. Learn about their history, meaning, types, and cultural significance.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Jan 26, 2021 · Learn about the hei tiki, a small greenstone pendant worn by Maori and other Polynesian peoples. Discover its cultural, mythological, and historical origins and meanings.
- Kim Martins
A Hei Tiki is therefore an image carved in human form that is worn around the neck. Traditionally, Hei Tiki are passed from parent to child or used for protection and good luck. Over time, as each generation has adorned the Hei Tiki, and as korero (stories) are told, the meaning and the prestige of the form has grown.
Apr 13, 2024 · The Hei Tiki is used in various cultural ceremonies and events within Māori society, such as weddings, funerals, and other significant milestones. It is also worn as a protective amulet during times of transition or challenge, serving as a source of strength and connection to one’s heritage.
The significance of hei tiki for Māori is the personal connection they hold to an individual. This is strengthened when they have been passed down a family line. For Māori, this is the importance of hei tiki rather than meanings assigned by scholars. Hei tiki are taonga tuku iho – treasures passed down. 2
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Te Hei Tiki was highly commened in the 2019 AAANZ Book Awards for the Best Art Writing by a NZ Māori or Pasifika. Reviews Te Hei Tiki was reviewed in the 2019 October issue of North & South ; “lavishly illustrated, with many of the hei tiki pictured in larger-than-life-size, full-page glory, the book has some claim to being described as a taonga in its own right.”
