The hei-tiki (Māori pronunciation: [hɛi ˈtiki], New Zealand English: / h eɪ ˈ t ɪ k i / [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.

Jan 26, 2021 · The hei tiki – a cultural object worn around the neck - is considered a taonga tuku iho (treasured heirloom) because each hei tiki is handed down from one generation to the next and emotionally connect to the memory of tupuna (revered ancestors).

hei-tiki, neck pendant hand-carved in the form of a stylized human and worn by the Māori people of New Zealand (Aotearoa). Hei means something suspended from the neck, and tiki is a broad term used throughout Polynesia to refer to carved human figures.

The Meaning of the Hei Tiki. Some believe Tiki was the first man in Māori legend, created by the Atua Tāne (God of the forest). Others consider Tiki to be the Atua himself and the forefather of humankind. Whether man or God, there is consensus in Māori culture that humankind descends from Tiki lineage.

Jan 18, 2025 · The Hei Tiki, one of the most iconic Maori symbols, is a talisman traditionally carved from Pounamu (New Zealand greenstone) with a distinctive human-like form. Deeply spiritual, it symbolizes fertility, wisdom, protection, and ancestral guidance.

Aug 10, 2020 · The Hei Tiki is an emblematic figure within the Māori culture of New Zealand (Aotearoa), steeped in history and rich in symbolism. These ornate pendants, often carved from the revered greenstone, pounamu, are more than mere decorations; they are taonga, treasures that embody the spiritual connection between the present and the ancestral past ...

Feb 19, 2025 · Hei Tiki: A Symbol of Māori Culture, Spirituality, and Craftsmanship. The hei tiki is a highly prized ornament worn by both men and women of chiefly rank in Māori society. These unique pendants, traditionally suspended from a flax cord (Phormium tenax), are a stunning representation of Māori art, culture, and spiritual beliefs.

The first display case visitors will encounter when entering from the Museum’s iconic Māori Court is a large display of hei tiki. Reaching nearly floor to ceiling, this display shows the beauty and variety of one of the most recognisable of Māori taonga. Image: Hei tiki, pounamu. Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira. 1934.124 ...

The Hei Tiki is commonly regarded as a symbol of good luck and of fertility, representing the unborn human embryo. Hei Tiki is thought to be a representation of the first man. The Māori believe the wearer of a tiki talisman to be clear thinking, perceptive, loyal and knowledgeable.

Apr 8, 2018 · The full name for these carvings is Hei-tiki, where 'hei' means to wear around the neck. In Maori culture, Hei Tikis are considered family heirlooms and are worn during ceremonial occasions in New Zealand. Even if a tiki is not ancient, it is still highly prized by the family.