MAORI > PUNA Jewellery at Iti Gifts

'Koru'
Mango-pare the traditional symbol of strength, tenacity of life, unrelenting determination, vigour and wealth is combined with the notion of two devoted lovers; soul mates. A symbol of an everlasting bond of friendship that time and space cannot affect, this is true wealth. (Shane te Ruki)

'Manawa' - Heart
The use of the koru incorporated into the heart which is the sign of love, is a statement of abundant love, new love. the heart has an inner heart reinforcing the 'Love from the core of my being', and the 'Heart of my heart'.

'Nga Toru' - The Trinity
This contemporary piece combines 'Mango-pare' the traditional symbol of strength, tenacity of life, unrelenting determination, vigour and wealth with the telling of the three phases of Creation and Life. Te Kore .. Te Po .. Te Ao. (Shane Te Ruki)

'Pouaka' - Box
Koru are symbolic of Life unfolding. The box like form is in contrast to the koru; the koru breaks free ... (Shane Te Ruki)

'Poutama'
The ascent towards enlightenment, heaven, higher aspiration, progression towards higher learning, remembering the past while ascending into the future. This is the symbol of the pathway of life that stretches both into the past and future. Each step is an achievement, a challenge met, a bridge crossed; the journey is eternal, the destination is the journey. (Shane Te Ruki)

'Rua'
One koru reaches up and the other down, connecting the earthly and heavenly plains; both a reminder and an expression of life's balance, and dual nature which is both worldly and spiritual. (Shane Te Ruki)

'Tamiro' - Entwined
Koru are symbolic of Life unfolding and represent the unfurling fronds of ferns & similar plants. So it is seen as a sign of 'new growth' of 'new potential' and like the phoenix that rises from the ashes, a sign of the continuity of life in this contingent would thus the term (life unfolding). The entwined koru are the devoted lovers whose love is new and continually growing. (Shane Te Ruki)

Puna Jewellery - NZ Mint