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Victor Judd: bone
carving, meanings of symbols
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The FISHHOOK is a symbol of
the Maori creation myth. Using a hook fashioned from the
jawbone of his grandmother, and baited with his own blood,
the hero Maui fished the North Island of New Zealand from
the ocean. Because of this tale, the North Island was named
Te-Ika-a-Maui, (The Fish of Maui.) Wellington
harbor is the mouth of the fish. |
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The two-part spiral, or IRA, represents the two opposite
yet complementary life forces. When in balance these forces create
harmony. In Maori lore they developed from Hani, the seeker, and
Puna, the wellspring. They are present in all life as Ira Atua,
the spiritual life force, and Ira Tangata, the physical life force. |
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The Maori people were a fishing and seafaring society.
To them, the symbol of the breaking wave represented good luck
as bestowed by the spirit of the sea, either as a bounteous catch
or as a safe return from a voyage. The breaking wave is represented
here by the half curl of a breaking wave, or by a series of holes
representing the foam of a cresting wave. The SHIELD pattern,
as a device of protection, is used to represent strength. |
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The KORU is a stylized rendition of the Silver Leaf Fern
found in New Zealand. It represents the energy of life and regeneration
found in new growth. The simple, graceful shape celebrates
all aspects of growth and good health. The spiral symbol appears
in many cultures: Maori, Celtic, Native American, and Hindu. To
all it symbolizes the continuing spiral of life or eternity. |
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The INIFINITY symbol has been used by many
cultures and religions as a symbol of the path of life or
eternity. As used in my carvings, a single twist represents
a profound connection: a love of life, the sea, the earth or the
joining together of two people. A double twist is that bond
reinforcedña
deep, abiding love for eternity, a bond of friendship and
loyalty for life. The double twist is strong enough to even represent
the attachment of two cultures or nations. |
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