Tiki masks are made of hand carved wood; however, once the wood is carved into the spirit or god, the Tiki mask becomes an embodiment of Polynesian power and knowledge. Unlike African and other cultures that worshiped deities, the mask was not worn, but rather displayed and always present.
The word Tiki is sometimes thought of in a fake culture. Examples are the Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland, Pirates of the Caribbean, Tiki Bars, tropical drinks, and other items created as a result of merchandising. Polynesia is an important part of the Pacific Ocean; therefore, most definitions on the web would not be able to explain a Tiki mask using a broad term like Polynesian. Polynesian culture refers to thousands of indigenous people, on hundreds of islands, who worshiped hundreds of different gods, with different belief systems, and some worshiped idols called Tikis as early as 1000 AD (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, lolling tongues, large nostrils, a large head, frowning eyes, large teeth, anger, and most of all, bravery. As a result, they can change the look and feel of a room, making it mysterious, tropical, and a peaceful conversation with meaning.
In Polynesian culture, most people write about the four main Tiki gods. Ku is the god of war and Hina’s husband. Lono is god of fertility and provider of peace. Kane is the leader or the men’s men. Kanaloa is the king of the sea, lakes, rivers and rain. In American culture, the four gods are not that popular. Americans look for Tiki masks and Tiki statues that have spirits that can help them in everyday life (examples in the next paragraph), they are not just for home decoration.
Do you want to be a winner? Then there is an ancient Winner Tiki who blesses you with fortune in everything you do. Do you have financial problems? Then there is a Tiki mask and a Tiki statue called the God of Money and by holding it in your presence it is believed that the money will come to you. Are you worried about your health? There is a Tiki Long Life that will help you stay strong and healthy. Are you happy? There is a Tiki of Happiness that combines blessings, good health and happiness. Do you always defend yourself? There is the Amakua Tiki with real human hair that claims to protect and defend you from others. You’re stressed? There is the Tiki Temple, a replica of the British Museum that represents the power and protection of your home. You have bad luck? Lucky Tiki is claimed to bring prosperity and is the most popular Tiki. Can’t you have a baby? There is the Fertility Tiki who claims that by rubbing his head you become more fertile at his command. In conclusion, the Polynesian Culture is still alive, however in the American Culture the meaning is interpreted in our daily lives.