Matariki Matariki is an abbreviation of ‘Ngā Mata o te Ariki Tāwhirimātea (‘The eyes of the god Tāwhirimātea’) and refers to a large cluster of stars, known in some European traditions as the Pleiades. According to Māori tradition, the god of the wind, Tāwhirimātea, was so angry when his siblings separated their parents, Ranginui the sky father and Papatūānuku the earth mother, that he tore out his eyes and threw them into the heavens. Matariki is a time to acknowledge the dead of the past year and to release their spirits to become stars. It was also a time to reflect, to be thankful to the gods for the harvest, to feast and to share the bounty of the harvest with family and friends. Matariki is the main star in the cluster. It is connected to wellbeing and welcomes in the Maori New Year. Pōhutukawa helps us remember those who have passed since the last rising of Matariki. It is at this time that people want to call out the names of loved ones who have died in the past year. Tipuānuku is the star associated with food grown in the earth. Tipuārangi means to grow in the sky, and this karakia reaffirms our connection to the forests and the birds. Waitī is the star of lakes, rivers, streams and fresh water and acknowledges our strong connection to the bodies of fresh water. Waitā is the star of salt water, and this karakia acknowledges our strong connection to the ocean Waipunarangi Waipunarangi means ‘water that pools in the sky’, and this karakia speaks to the rain. The star of the wind is Ururangi, and together with Waipunarangi, they are the stars connected to the weather. Hiwa-i-te-rangi is the Māori wishing star and speaks to our hopes and desires for the year “Ko te hautapu e rite ki te kai nā Matariki pakia.”“Tis the steam from the umu that rises to feed the stars,” QUALITY PRINTS 188gsm and CANVAS stretched onto wood frames CANVASES ALSO AVAILABLE IN AUSTRALIA
