Believed to be a messenger that moves freely between the spirit realm and the human world, the manaia is a mythological creature, greatly respected in Māori culture and a predominant motif in wood and greenstone carving. 

Originally māori had no written language, and symbolic meanings such as the manaia were embodied in carving, knots, and weaving to communicate and record stories, while traditional songs and dances shared the myths and folklore of ancestors. 

 

What manaia traditionally meant to Māori remains somewhat a mystery, but commonly it is considered that they are magical creatures and spiritual kaitiaki (guardians) of things worth protecting. 

 

Today, pounamu manaia are gifted between loved ones for protection and worn to ward off evil.

 

 

Although subject to much controversy, the profile of a manaia is commonly thought to depict the head of a bird, a tail of a fish, and the body of a man. Yet, this depiction varies between iwi (tribes), and the manaia is also seen as a bird-headed man, bird, serpent, reptile, and human figure in profile.

 

 

Just as the human figure, manaia are one of the most malleable motifs within Māori design and are often found in fragmented forms and contortions, and incorporated with other symbols such as the tiki. As a versatile symbol, they are distorted in artworks by utilizing an eye, mouth, tooth, arm, body, leg or foot to create artistic compositions and fit any space needing filled.

 

 

Our carvers draw inspiration from the significance and adaptability of the manaia motif and use their creativity and personal influences to craft unique contemporary greenstone carvings. 

 

Here are some of the latest greenstone carvings to arrive at Mountain Jade which all draw on inspiration from the manaia motif, yet they remain diverse and contrasting pieces of art.

 

New Zealand Pounamu Large Manaia with Paua Eye

Carved by Tamaora Walker with New Zealand Pounamu.

New Zealand Pounamu Manaia with Paua Eyes

Carved by Akapita Scally with New Zealand pounamu. 

A double headed manaia design where the second head can also be interpreted as the tail.

New Zealand Pounamu Manaia with Wax Eyes

Carved by Akapita Scally with New Zealand pounamu. 

New Zealand Pounamu Manaia Niho (Tooth) Necklace

Carved by Akapita Scally with New Zealand pounamu. 

This design incorporates the face of a manaia with the niho (tooth) design.

New Zealand Pounamu Large Toki Manaia Necklace

Carved by Akapita Scally with New Zealand pounamu. 

This design incorporates the face of a manaia with the toki (adze) design.

New Zealand Pounamu Contemporary Manaia Necklace

Carved by Tim Steel with New Zealand pounamu.

This design is an abstract take on the manaia motif. 

New Zealand Pounamu Manaia (Seahorse) with Koru

Carved by Akapita Scally with New Zealand pounamu. 

Manaia is also the Māori word for seashorse. In this design, Akapita draws on inspiration from the manaia and seahorse motifs.