Tiki Masks are hand carved wood, however once carved the wood takes on the spirit or god, the Tiki Mask then is transferred into a personification of Polynesian power and knowledge˳ Unlike African and other cultures that worshiped deities, the mask was not worn, but instead displayed and was always present˳
The word Tiki is sometimes thought of a faux culture˳ The examples are the Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland, Pirates of the Caribbean, Tiki Bars, tropical drinks and other items created as a result of commercialization˳ Polynesia is a significant part of the Pacific Ocean; therefore most definitions on the web could not explain a Tiki Mask by using a broad term such as Polynesian˳ The Polynesian Culture refers to thousands of indigenous people, on hundreds of islands, that worshiped hundreds of different gods, with different belief systems, and which a few worshiped idols called Tikis since 1000 A˳D˳ (Which includes Easter Island, Tonga, Fiji, and Hawaii)˳
The Polynesians carved their Tiki Masks with a common theme in the expressions in intrinsic detail˳ The masks would have large open mouths, hanging tongues, big nostrils, large head, frowning eyes, large teeth, anger, and most of all fearlessness˳ As a result, they can change the look and feel of a room, by making it mysterious, tropical and a conversation peace to the meaning˳
In Polynesian Culture, most people write about the four main Tiki Gods˳ Ku is the god war and husband of Hina˳ Lono is fertility god and provider of peace˳ Kane is the leader or men of men˳ Kanaloa is the king of the sea, lakes, rivers and rain˳ In American Culture the four gods are not as popular˳ Americans look for Tiki Masks and Tiki Statues that have spirits which can help them in everyday life (examples in the next paragraph), they are not just for home décor˳
Do you want to be a winner? Then there is an ancient Winner Tiki that blesses you with fortune in all that you do˳ Are you having financial troubles? Then there is a Tiki Mask and Tiki Statue called the God of Money and by keeping him in your presence it is thought money will come your way˳ Are you worried about your health? There is a Long Life Tiki that will help you stay strong and healthy˳ Are you happy? There is a Happiness Tiki that combines blessings, good health and happiness˳ Are you always defending yourself? There is the Amakua Tiki with real human hair which claims to protect and defend you from others˳ Are you stressed? There is the Temple Tiki, a replica from the British Museum that represents power and protection of your home˳ Are you unlucky? The Lucky Tiki is claimed to bring prosperity and is the most popular Tiki˳ Can’t have a baby? There is the Tiki of Fertility which claims that by rubbing his head you become more fertile by his command˳ In conclusion, the Polynesian Culture is still alive, however in American Culture the meaning is interpreted into our everyday lives˳
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