| Many people are familiar with tiki culture because of its | | | | represent not only the ancestors, but also the goddess |
| widespread popularity as a decorating style. It is also | | | | of childbirth. For many Maori, the wearing of hei-tiki is a |
| the dominant style in many tropical tourist destinations. | | | | central part of their cultural identity. The word 'tiki' is |
| However, you may not realize that tiki culture actually | | | | usually used to refer to larger wooden statues. Larger |
| has its roots in several different locations. Tiki culture | | | | forms are used to mark the boundaries of significant |
| as it is represented in America combines elements | | | | or sacred sites. |
| that are distinctly Hawaiian, Polynesian, Maori, and from | | | | One such place where tiki figures are used to mark a |
| Easter Island. | | | | significant site is Rapa Nui, on Easter Island. This |
| The Polynesian idea of the tiki is said to have | | | | famous example includes a ring of very tall, yet |
| originated in the Marquesas Islands. According to | | | | partially buried, stone figures. Moai were carved many |
| Polynesian mythology, tiki refers to a male figure. | | | | centuries ago, and they have overly large heads like |
| Sometimes tiki is identified as a first man. The word 'tiki' | | | | many tiki representations. They were carved by |
| can also refer to a wooden or stone image of this | | | | Polynesian colonizers of the island. However, it is |
| male god. The tiki figures are said to represent either | | | | important to note that these figures are not called 'tiki' |
| the ancestor or creator of humans. Other tiki gods | | | | in Rapanui, the language of Easter Island; they are |
| represent other areas of life. Besides wooden tiki | | | | actually called Moai. These Moai represent deified |
| figures, tiki images are also carved onto bowls, canoe | | | | ancestors in a minimalist style that is related to tiki and |
| paddles, and other items. Typically, this tiki figure stands | | | | related forms found in many island cultures. |
| with hands clasped over its stomach, with a large flat | | | | Similarly, in the Cook Islands Tiki is the guardian of the |
| nose, round eyes, and a wide mouth. One common | | | | entrance to the underworld. Islanders bring offerings as |
| thread between most tiki figures is that the face is | | | | gifts when someone is dying. Tiki-related symbolism |
| very flat, and much taller in proportion to the body. The | | | | also appears in Hawaiian culture, where the name |
| word 'tiki' comes to the English language from both the | | | | appears as Ki'i. There are several different Hawaiian |
| Marquesas Islands and from the Maori language | | | | versions to the story of tiki. |
| spoken in New Zealand. | | | | In the United States, tiki culture refers to a blending of |
| According to Maori legend, tiki figures represent | | | | all of these tiki forms, along with related island motifs. |
| ancestors using simplified forms of the human figure. | | | | The island culture symbolized by the tiki first became |
| Sometimes these small figures are worn around the | | | | popular in the 1940's and 1950's, and remains popular |
| neck for good luck. These pendants, usually made of | | | | today. |
| greenstone, are called hei-tiki. Some believe that these | | | | |