Hand Carved Mask "Tawhirimatea" - by Grant Holder

Handcarved by Grant Holder - Maniapoto Iwi.

Depicts Tawhirimatea - God of the Four Winds.  With koru designs on the face.

15cm x 21cm x 1.5cm

Totara wood.

Guardian, protector.

In Māori mythology, Tāwhirimātea (or Tāwhiri) is the god of weather, including thunder and lightning, wind, clouds and storms. He is a son of Papatūānuku (earth mother) and Ranginui (sky father). Tawhirimatea is the second oldest of 7 children, all of whom are boys.

About NZ Totara

About the Koru:

For the Maori, the fern was an important symbol used in jewellery, tattoos, and in their carvings.  Called the Koru, (the Maori word for "loop") the spiral shape is reminiscent of the form of an unfurling fern frond. It symbolizes new life, growth, strength and peace.