The Manaia Pendant: A Guardian for Life’s Journey
Every journey needs guidance and protection, a gentle presence that connects us with our roots, offering strength and harmony along the way. Each carved pounamu (greenstone) pendant holds mana, embodying stories passed down through generations, carefully shaped with respect for tradition.
Guidance from generations past.
Bridging Realms – The Mythology of Manaia
In Te Ao Māori, life is seen as an interconnected weave of physical and spiritual elements. At the heart of this worldview is Wairua, the spiritual realm guiding everyday life. Traditionally depicted with the head of a bird, the body of a human, and the tail of a fish, the Manaia also takes forms inspired by serpents, seahorses, or lizards. As a mythological messenger between realms, the Manaia provides protection against adversity, offering courage and reassurance throughout life's journey.
A Symbolic Talisman – The ![]()
Three Fingers
Each Manaia pendant often includes a distinct three-fingered design, symbolising birth, life, and death. Occasionally, a fourth finger is added, representing the continuous cycle and eternal rhythms connecting past, present, and future. This powerful symbolism highlights the interconnectedness of all stages of life, reminding us to embrace each phase with courage and balance.
Every stone has its own unique story.
Crafted with Mauri – A Personal Connection
Every Manaia carving is uniquely crafted, shaped by skilled hands and guided by generations of cultural knowledge. Each piece carries its own Mauri, the vital life force that resonates deeply with personal aspirations, stories, and journeys. Each stone carries unique characteristics, making every Manaia pendant distinctive and meaningful, resonating personally with its wearer as a special taonga (treasure).
Balancing the Seen and Unseen
At its core, the Manaia beautifully captures the essence of duality, uniting the visible, everyday world with the unseen spiritual forces that guide and sustain us. Its distinctive figure-of-eight shape symbolises the seamless connection between realms, encouraging harmony within ourselves, our relationships, and our environment. Wearing the Manaia encourages balance, protecting and nurturing mauri within all aspects of our lives.
A timeless gift for life's significant moments.
Meaningful Moments to Gift or Wear Manaia
The Manaia is an especially treasured gift during both challenging and joyous moments. It provides comfort to someone navigating grief, spiritual protection for loved ones travelling far from home, or support during health concerns. Equally, it can celebrate important life achievements, strengthening personal resilience and deepening connections to whānau (family) and heritage.
Who Would Benefit From Manaia’s Strength?
Who in your life would find strength and comfort in the Manaia pendant?
Explore our Manaia Pendant collection, thoughtfully crafted to honour tradition, inspire harmony, and protect those you cherish most.
