According to Polynesian legend, Tiki was the first man, created by Kane, ruler of the earth and son of Keawe the almighty. In Polynesian culture, tikis are images, usually sculpted from wood, and sometimes from stone. By tradition, tikis are simply pieces of wood or stone until they are inhabited by an akua, or spirit, a process brought on by prayer or ritual. Tikis have been used as religious, magical and secular sculptures. The fearsome tikis with snarling mouths were developed in Hawaii mainly for religious purposes during the time of King Kamehameha the Great. Prominent headdresses represented the spiritual power of prayer and thought, open mouths and tongues and represented the power of the spoken word, and bared teeth emphasized the risks of ignoring that power. Magical tikis were sculpted in the form of free standing humans, sometimes with human hair. Most tikis in this category take the classic Polynesian "power posture": head up, knees flexed and arms held curved at the sides. They were used for healing as well as for protection and telepathic influence. Secular tikis were used in daily life and had practical purposes, such as spear holders, pieces for Polynesian games, etc. Several Polynesian gods are represented in tiki sculptures, including: Kane: god of earth, stones and fresh water Ku: god of strength and war Kanaloa: god of the ocean, patron of seamen and fishermen; a healer Lono: god of the sun, wisdom and medicine; patron of plants and crops Tikis are created using the traditional art of Ku'ikepa, which literally translates to "pound and slash". Some owners use them to bring luck and good fortune, while for certain landscape designers they are essential for creating authentic Polynesian ambiance. For others, tikis simply enhance the feeling of the being in the tropics, and add an artistic flair to the environment. Our tikis are hand carved by artists dedicated to this ancient craft, using non-endangered tropical woods. Many display the beautiful natural tones of the wood used in their making, while others are finished with rich stains to blend with your decor. They can be used to enhance your entrance, interior room or patio, and all of our tikis are suitable for use outdoors in your garden. They make great conversation pieces, and are especially recommended for use with palapas and tiki huts. Simply click on the links at the top of this page to view the tikis in each size range, from table top works of art to massive sculptures that create major focal points... we hope you enjoy them! Mahalo! |
| Tiki Focus ProducTs With A Tropical FeeL |
| Hand-Carved Tikis |
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