Hei Matau Necklaces for sale

Hei Matau Fish Hook Necklace
Hei Matau is the New Zealand Maori name for the Fish Hook Necklace. The Maori Fish Hook is a popular design and is suitable for both men and women to wear.

The importance of the Hei Matau
Fish Hooks were very important to Maori. Fish was and still is an important food source, and early fish hooks were usually carved from bone. That bone came from birds such as the albatross, dogs, or whales.

The Hei Matau in Maori Mythology
The Fish Hook is also symbolic of New Zealand in Maori Mythology, as the Maori demi-god used his magic fish hook to fish up New Zealand. The North Island of New Zealand is Te Ika a Maui, the fish of Maui, and the South Island is known as Te Waka a Maui, the boat (waka) of Maui. Stewart Island is Te Punga a Maui, the anchor of the boat.

Hei Matau Meaning
Maori designs carry a spiritual meaning. In the case of the Hei Matau Fish Hook, the design signifies abundance and plenty, strength and determination. The Hei Matau is believed to bring peace, prosperity, and good health. The Fish Hook is also a device for catching good luck and positive energy, and is a good luck charm for safe journey over water.

So the Hei Matau is a powerful and positive talisman.

Hei Matau Necklaces for sale
At www.shopenzed.com we have a huge range of Hei Matau for sale. Hei Matau shopping is lots of fun because you can choose from a range of materials and prices, as well as varying sizes. You are sure to find a Maori Fish Hook to suit you or a loved one. Choose Hei Matau Necklaces made from Bone, Greenstone, Paua, Metal, Sterling Silver, Red Agate and Pewter.

Maori Bone Fish Hook Necklaces

As you can see from the photo above, Maori Bone Fish Hook Necklaces can be decorated a number of ways. The basic Hei Matau shape stays the same, but there can be carving, scrimshaw, dyeing, staining, and the addition of materials like New Zealand Paua Shell.

Greenstone Jade Hei Matau

New Zealand Greenstone Jade Hei Matau are usually quite simple in shape. New Zealand Greenstone (Maori name Pounamu) is a very hard stone, so carving designs into it is much more difficult than with bone. We have a great selection of jade fish hooks on offer though, and of varying sizes. In New Zealand we tend to wear large pieces of greenstone, whereas people in other countries often like smaller jade necklaces. We cater to all tastes, and if we don't have what you want, just ask.

Paua Shell Hei Matau Necklaces

New Zealand Paua Shell looks beautiful on its own, and when made into a Hei Matau Necklace. Paua (abalone) shell contains natural, irridescent shades of blue, green, pink and purple, and is a stunning natural beauty.

You can shop for Paua Fish Hooks, as well as Paua and Sterling Silver Hei Matau, and Paua and Metal Hei Matau Fish Hooks.

Red Agate Hei Matau

Whilst Red Agate isn't a traditional stone used by Maori, its beautiful blood red colour lends itself perfectly to the Maori Hei Matau design.

Pewter Hei Matau Necklaces

Pewter lends itself to Maori carving, and we have several Pewter Maori Hei Matau Necklaces for you to choose from.

Black Jade Hei Matau Neckace

Black Jade, found in Australia, can be shined to a high lustre. It looks striking when made into a Hei Matau Fish Hook.

How to tie a Maori Necklace
Maori Hei Matau Necklaces are often supplied on a traditional black cord, and many do not have a loop and toggle or other form of tying. The good thing about this is that you can tie the Necklace with a sliding adjustable knot, as we do here in New Zealand. This makes the necklace easy to put on over the head, and its cord can be adjusted so the fish hook sits exactly where you want it around the neck.

We have instructions below on how to tie a Maori necklace, and you can also go back to our website for the same instructions on how to make the sliding adjustable knot.