Manaia in Tangiwai Pounamu

Tim did what he does best with this taonga and simply brought out the image he could see within it – a manaia. He kept the taonga family raw and true to its natural state. It just felt right.  Have a look through the photos and you can see what magic happens when you hold this taonga up to the light. It doesn’t even need to be strong light for you to see through to the other side of this gorgeous Kōkōtangiwai.  It is absolutely stunning, I’ve spent too much time just looking at it up to the light!

Manaia are messengers between the realm of mortals and the spiritual world. They are both guardians and bringers of omens. Wearing one is believed to protect the wearer from evil and connect you with the spirit world.  With the head of a bird, tail of a sea creature and body of a human they bring balance between the sky, earth and sea.

Kōkōtangiwai(more commonly known as Tangiwai is the tears Ranginui cried when he was eternally separated from his wahine, Papatūānuku. As his tears fell on to Papatūānuku they solidified into the most beautiful, transluscent pounamu called Kōkōtangiwai. 

Tangi is to cry, wai is water.  Kōkōtangwai is a deep sorrow that is never completely healed.  I think most of us carry the memories of a lost loved one who sits deep in our hearts, a sweet sorrow.

Tangiwai is found only in Aotearoa and dwells in the areas of highest rainfall in Te Wai Pounamu. Tangiwai is the most ancient type of pounamu and is in fact a Bowenite rock, with a different composition to the more common Nephrite pounamu you will find available. 

• Kōkōtangiwai pounamu from Piopiotahi.
• Length 65mm x 30mm widest point.
• A one-of-a-kind taonga by Timoti.

💚Now every taonga you purchase helps us to carve a taonga for EVERY tamariki in care in Aotearoa. You can read more about our Tū Māia project here. Ngā mihi mahana for your support of this kaupapa!💚