Matau - Interconnection

The fish hook (Matau) signifies abundance, nourishment, and strength.

The fish hook (Matau) signifies abundance, nourishment, and strength. As such it attracts the energies of protection, peace, prosperity, and good health. A fishhook is a symbol that provides safe journey over water. Therefore, it is considered a good luck charm by travellers and seafarers.

The ocean surrounds New Zealand. On our land, there is a whole lot more water in our freshwater lakes and rivers. Therefore, fishing was very important to the Maori. Kai moana (fish and shellfish from the sea) played a very key role in nourishing the people.

As such, they were keen to please the God of the sea (Tangaroa) and other Gods, so to attract an abundant catch. They did this through prayer and other rituals and with blessed Talismans such as the Hei Matau. As such, certain protocol was common such as returning the first fish of their catch to the sea.

Given the importance of the sea to Maori, it is easy to see why fishing was a sacred activity. Thus, the evolvement and development of various hooks was prevalent within Maori culture.

The ocean is represented by the flow of waves engraved on the front of the carving.

Thousands of years ago, the ancestors of Māori journeyed out of South-East Asia and into the Pacific. They sailed in waka (canoes), and were some of the world's greatest canoe builders, navigators and mariners. Their ability to 'see beyond' the horizon was legendary.

As such, the Matau is symbolic of navigating our own lives with wisdom and insight. This is attained through spiritual development. 

This carving is called ‘Interconnection’. In nature, all things are interconnected and each part of an ecological system effects the rest. Humans are not exempt from this universal truth. Through understanding the law of cause and effect, we can create the special causes in our own life that lead to deep inner peace and harmony.

This is symbolised in the motif on the front of the carving. The two elements of the koru design make the whole design. The design coming down the shaft represents a spear of wisdom that is penetrating deep into our own mind. Our mind of wisdom is represented by the inlay of pāua in the centre of the carving. The motif on the back represents the a sword of wisdom cutting away our negativity.  

The carving comes with a four-plait cord which features a fully adjustable slip knot system to enable to a perfect fit around any size neck. It also comes with an officially signed certificate of authenticity and has been registered in my database of work.

I sincerely hope you enjoy the carving and over time come to fully understand all the various layers of meaning imbued in this creation. I wish you and your family the deepest peace and happiness.

Hei konā rā (goodbye)
Andrew Doughty

Database Reference:  000-70