Saturday, March 13, 2010

Koru



This week's PhotoHunter theme is spiral.

In New Zealand the spiral shape of the koru is used by the Maori as a symbol of creation.  The shape which is based on an unfurling fern frond symbolizes new life, growth, strength and peace.  The outer circle conveys the idea of perpetual movement, and its inward coil suggests a return to the point of origin.
The featured carving is in Pounamu--the traditional name used by the local Maori to identify locally sourced jade from Aotearoa New Zealand.

3 comments:

  1. Wonderful take on the theme, Maya. And what a pretty jade piece. Love the meaning of the symbols behind it.

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  2. Beautiful. Is that REAL jade? It's exquisite!

    My Spiral post is here. I hope you can visit. :)

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  3. Candi, I was first attracted by the shape, but really fell in love when I learned its meaning.

    Mrs. Mecomber, the lovely piece is real jade. A percentage of all profits of the mining of jade in NZ is returned to the Maori.

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