Tiki wood carvings are rooted in Hawaiian and Polyesian culture.
Tiki art celebrates Hawaiian and Polynesian cultural gods. Besides being used for home decorating, wooden carvings are valued for their meanings and cultural symbolism; among them to ward off evil, infertility, war, peace, rain or sunshine. Fijian wood carvings are typically carved from Vesi wood---also known as iron wood---which is kept buried in the ground for a few months to create the darkened finish.
Tiki Masks
Probably the most recognized tiki wood craft is the traditional tiki mask. Tiki masks typically represent the four important gods in Hawaiian and Polynesian culture: Kane, god of light and love; Ku, god of war; Lono, god of peace and fertility; Kanaloa, god of the ocean. There are dozens of other minor deities. Wood carvings are very detailed and although they may be painted, most tiki carvings are stained.
Tiki Statues
Carved tiki warrior statues can be created to depict primitive tiki chiefs. They may be holding spears or a stick with skull atop, depicting a head hunter. Oversized eyes and other features add to the design. Figures can be adorned with grass headbands and grass skirts. More lighthearted statues can be crafted with warriors on surfboards, wearing sunglasses or using a Polynesian paddleboard.
Tiki Shield
Shields carved with tiki masklike faces make interesting wall d cor. Look for mask examples in books or online and sketch a replica to carve out of wood; many carvers use old palm tree trunks. The more intricate the carving, the better the effect.
Tiki Headhunter Spear
Polynesian headhunters' spears are typically crafted of a carved wooden stick, wrapped with a dried woven grass and topped with an iron spearhead. You can carve a replica of the spear using either a stone flint shaped with a point and attached with raffia or other grass material. Another option might be to carve the entire spear from shaft to spearhead out of wood.
Tiki Totem Pole
Tiki totem poles typically have exaggerated features.
Depending upon the size, you can carve a tiki totem pole from either a thick branch or log. Many totem poles reflect multiple depictions ranging from tribal chiefs, warriors, symbols of luck, health, peace or symbols of the natural world. The backs are usually left plain, with the intricate carving done on the face of the log. Large poles can be placed outdoors in a garden area, while smaller ones can be placed on a tabletop. Tiki totem poles can be stained or painted with various colors; still others may be dyed with red clay to give them an authentic look.
Tags: totem poles, Hawaiian Polynesian, intricate carving, Tiki totem, Tiki totem poles