Talofa lava
Last week in room 10 we were making taongas or measina for whomever we wanted to give it to. I made a taonga for my Maori friend. I was going to give it to my family, but I know they would lose it straight away. Kharli and I had the same problem; both of our families would lose it as soon as they got it, so we decided to give it to each other. She made me a measina since I was Samoan, and I made her a taonga since she was Maori.
This is a round necklace with a spiral shape in the middle. It has a small hole at the top so it can be worn on a string or chain. The spiral is sunken, making it shorter than the rest of the shape.
Pounamu jewelry in circular shapes representing completeness, perfection, and the never-ending cycle of life and death. The circle, or porowhita, also symbolizes the stars, planets, and the round nature of the universe.
The spiral design usually means a journey or growth. It shows how people grow and change over time. The shape starts small and goes outward, kind of like how we start small and learn more as we get older. Spirals are also seen in nature, like in shells and plants, so it could also mean life and nature.
Someone might wear this necklace to remind themselves to never give up. It’s a symbol that says, “Keep learning and growing.” It might also help them feel calm or focused, or make it a habit for the person to be positive.
The spiral necklace is more than just a shape. It stands for life’s journey. It can remind people to stay strong, find their path, and learn about themselves. It acts as a positive reminder for the person wearing it.
It can work in a way where the person who made it wears it and puts all their positive energy into it. When the person gifts it to someone else, that positive energy travels to the other person, but it depends on the kind of energy you put in it. The type of energy you put in matters for the person you give it to.
Who would you make your taonga for and why?
