Moko Pounamu Tangaroa God Of The Ocean Genuine Whale Bone - Kaiwhare

A stunning Tangaroa God of the Ocean with a tail hand carved from Whale Bone with Paua eyes and Unaunahi and Koru pattern carved all over, Tangaroa is the god and guardian of the sea, rivers, lakes, and all aquatic life in Māori mythology keeping you protected and connected to the ocean. The mastery of this carver has to be seen to be believed, a really stunning taonga.

Unaunahi- a pattern in te ao Māori, characterised by repeating crescent shapes or fish scales, signifies abundance, prosperity and health, particularly in relation to the ocean and its resources. It represents the connection between Māori and the sea, their reliance on it for sustenance, and their spiritual connection to Tangaroa, the god of the sea.

Whale Bone has always been a special medium for Māori artists, Whales are considered a taonga species, and represent abundance, richness and were regarded as chiefly animals. Some tribes see whales as the descendants of Tangaroa, the god of the ocean and strandings are seen as gifts from Tangaroa and carving them is a way of honouring that gift. Whales possess a tapu (sacred) significance to Māori as both supernatural beings and as harbingers of personal change and spiritual growth.

Genuine Whale bone - Ethically sourced from the Kapiti Island.

Carved by Owen Mapp CNZM

Size 100mm long x 46mm wide x 7mm thick

This will be the exact piece you will receive in the photos, there may be a slight degree of colour variation based on different computer or device screen resolutions that you are viewing from.