DESCRIPTION AND MEANING:
This design shaped like a manta (freedom, protection) for the upper back was requested by Paul as a talisman of strength and protection for himself and for his daughter whose name, Nati, has been placed in the center of this piece as a maorigram.
The central part of the manta ray includes a turtle, symbolizing family and long life, with the shell made of a tiki (protection and fertility) surrounded by a sun (eternity and joy). Below the name, the two birds following each other symbolize how Paul will always be there to help is daughter, and the stylized hand right below is to indicate he will always give her a hand whenever a hand is needed.
The head of the turtle is made of a mere, a short club symbolizing the chief, power and respect, and the all-seeing eye on the inside is to protect and to scare enemies off.
The front flippers include two Marquesan crosses and waves to symbolize balance through the changes, harmony.
The back flippers are made of tiki hands and shark teeth for protection.
On the sides of the turtle two manaia (guardian angels) protect them on both sides and guide them, talking to their mind and to their heart (the manaia on the right speaks to a moon, a symbol of knowledge symbolizing here the mind, and the left one speaks to a sea shell, which symbolizes love and safety and represents here the heart).
The mountain motifs indicate stability and the spear heads enclosing the design indicate the protection of the warrior and strength.
The tips of the manta wings include a dolphin on the left (friendship, joy, game) and a gecko on the right (health, communication to the spirits).
Other elements include korus (new life) tiki hands and eyes (protection) and a fish hook (prosperity and wealth).
The tail is made of a hammerhead shark (tenacious and determined) incorporating a bird (freedom, watching the world from a different perspective).
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