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Greenstone and Whale Bone
Pounamu Necklaces
Greenstone Pendants are a very popular souvenir of a trip to New Zealand and come in a wide variety of shades of green. Traditionally greenstone pendants are carved in particular shapes and have different meanings and are of a freeform style, (which means they are not set into any sort of gold or silver setting) and come with a black waxed cord as the necklace.
New Zealand Greenstone
Prized for its rich colour and remarkable translucency, New Zealand greenstone (Pounamu) is found almost exclusively on the West Coast of the South Island. In rugged river valleys accessible only by helicopter, ordinary looking boulders are sliced open with portable diamond saws in the hope of revealing greenstone within. Our Pounamu (or green stone) comes in shades from white to light green to brown to dark green to black. Each piece so different to the next.
Sea breeze souvenirs boasts a collection featuring such fine works in New Zealand greenstone. Our range covers both New Zealand and local Whakatane carvers, with amazing designs and detail, each one is a very special gift to own.
Pounamu Meanings
Hei Matau – Fish Hooks
Fish hooks symbolise provision and prosperity. The wearer provides companionship, support in times of need, love and food if the wearer is a hunter or fisherman. It is also said to provide safe journey over water.
Koru (Spiral) – the unfolding fern frond
The symbol of new growth, new life, peace and tranquility. The koru also depicts endearment in the form of the relationship of a parent and a child or husband and wife. The koru can also represent a new beginning.
Hei Tiki – the first man
The Maori believe Hei-Tiki was the first man in the Maori world; he came from the stars. Hei-Tiki is a powerful good-luck symbol. Tilted head is thinking, hand is strength, mouth communication, heart is love and loins fertility. The wearer of the Hei-Tiki is assumed to be clear-thinking, perceptive, loyal and knowledgeable; their strength is their character.
Pikorua – The Path of life – the figure eight – Twists & crossovers
Single Twist – The figure eight – the path of life, the eternity symbol
Double Twist – Infinity
Triple Twist – the joining together of two people, peoples, two cultures for eternity, even though they experience highs and lows of life they remain bonded by friendship and loyalty for life.
Te Manaia – the Guardian Angel
Te Manaia has the head of a bird, the body of a man, and the tail of a fish, representing the balance between sky, earth and water. Te Manaia as the Guardian Angel, has a special role in the Maori world. It can be described as the unseen light surrounding each individual. Every person on earth has a Guardian Angel.
Circle or Disc
The circle of life which includes the path of life ever on-going with no beginning or end.
Heart
A symbol of friendship.
Dolphins & Whales
These are symbols of protection. This symbol of protection encompasses the friendship and companionship words canno express of the complex relationship between these mammals and Maori.
Toki (Adze)
Signifies strength, control, determination and focus. An achiever.
Mere
Indicates strength and commitment for the overcoming of life’s difficulties.
Whale Bone
The ocean has always been the dominant force for the Maori people who traveled huge distances in their long canoes and lived on the bounty of the tropical waters. They had a great respect for the creatures on the sea, in particular dolphins and whales.
Therefore, it was natural for them to make many bone carvings in the shape of the whale tail, or the entire dolphin or whale: Humpback, Sperm, Mother and calf etc. This range has also been expanded to include Turtles, Seahorses, Sharks, Orcas and Marlin fish.
Bone carving was traditionally carved from whale bone, and they were a very special gift often handed down through the generations as a treasured family heirloom. Whale bone is a very popular memento or gift from New Zealand. Popular with men and woman there is something here to suit everyone. We have some amazing pendants and sculptures carved from whale bone. These are truly wonderful treasures to own.
Every carving is supplied with a traditional waxed braid cord, a woven flax presentation case and information on the meaning of the design.