This carving presents the cyclic
nature of life. The figure represents Tāne but with
Puriri moth (NZ Ghost Moth)
connotations suggesting a life and death scenario.
Tāne is associated with life-force, he thrust
his parents Rangi and Papa apart with his legs so all life could dwell in-between.
He created man and flew to the heavens receiving all knowledge for mankind,
this I have represented by the knowledge transfer symbol in the 3rd
eye area. He also represents the forest and all life within including birds and
insects.
Meanwhile the Puriri moth is associated with death;
these moths are attracted to the Puriri tree, which are often Tapu through
their use as a burial site. Traditionally an infusion of the
leaves was used to wash the body of the deceased for preservation purposes.
The Puriri caterpillars (Mokoroa) would
eventually kill the trees, but the birds in turn would feed on them! and so the cyclic nature of life continues...
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