Fish Hook Manaia

Fish hook Manaia by Jen Hung
Auhunga Pounamu with Agate Bead
Pendant 5cm x 5.5cm
Adjustable Cord

The Hei Matau is carved in the shape of a stylised fishhook. It represents strength, prosperity, fertility, good luck and safe travel over water. It's meaning originated from the Maori legend of Maui who once caught a great fish using only a woven line and hook made from the jawbone of his grandmother.

The Manaia is an ancient mythical being and is a carrier of super natural powers. Traditionally depicted with the head of a bird, the body of a man and the tail of a fish representing sky. Earth and sea and the balance between. It is said to be the messenger between the earthly world of mortals and the
domain of the spirits illustrating the strong links the Maori people have with spirituality and the spirit world.

Jen Hung, originally from Taiwan, studied art history at University but had never
carved stone until attending Tai Poutini Polytechnics jade and hard stone carving course in 2004.

Jen loves listening to classical music when carving: As I listen to music and draw, I can see the flowing lines. The music inspires me.

Other inspiration comes from Maori art, the New Zealand bush, scenery and the
natural environment. Her art echoes the abstracted shapes of plants, water currents and landforms.

Even the smallest carved stone work takes many hours to craft, but Jen cannot
put a time on how long any one piece took her to make, designing, then grinding
and polishing in her home workshop before plaiting the string.

When you are making these, you are not thinking about value or time. You are just thinking how to make it beautiful.