In the southeast of the Pacific, a volcanic island stands out in the immensity of the ocean with monolithic sculptures of human features that impress both for their beauty and dimension and for the curious scarcity of cultural information about the purposes of creation, whose history is guided by oral tradition . This is Rapa Nui , Paaseiland or Easter Island - the name given to the small island of eastern Polynesia by the Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen in 1722.
The Polynesian insular area, belonging to Chilean territory, was colonized around 1200 AD, according to archaeological radiocarbon dating analyses. All the mystery and enthusiasm surrounding the island is associated with the grandiose and numerous cave sculptures or stone statues in different stages of completion spread throughout the territory called Moais , Naokis or just Easter Island Heads .
Moai, Naoki or Easter Island heads are giant rock carvings from Rapa Nui.
The Rapa Nui culture developed on Easter Island , originally called Te Pito O Te Kainga (a small piece of land), with the arrival of King Hotu Matua and the first settlers. It is speculated that the ancestors of the natives came from Marae Renga and Marae Tohio from Maori (New Zealand) or Hiva (Marquesas Islands).
The Rapa Nui produced around 900 monumental statues with raw material from volcanic rock (vulcanite) from Rano Raraku , whose average dimensions are equivalent to 13 meters in height and 14 tons. The sculpture was made directly in the quarry, cutting out the human face with prominent eyebrows and chin among the rock formations of the volcano. Some were carved with hats or fixed on pedestals called Ahu forming shrines.
The Rapa Nui carved Moai directly into the volcanic rock of Rano Raraku.
Archaeologists estimate that it took 15 people to carve and 40 people to move a single Moai from the volcanic tuff around the island. Time and natural conditions buried the torsos of the sculptures made between 1200 and 1600 AD. C. reinforcing the view that they were just heads, most of which were positioned inland from Rapa Nui , suggesting protection for the small civilization and limping the location of sources of fresh water.
Among the possible meanings of the Easter Island Heads is believed in the purpose of divine representation or as a symbol of power, whether political or religious. However, like most Polynesian symbols, the Moai has a strong relationship with spirituality and ancestry as a way of honoring the family.
Some Easter Island sculptures were carved with hats or attached to the Ahu.
Stone sculptures draw new meanings in spaces intended for the contemplation of nature. According to the oriental art Feng Shui , combining stones in external areas favors the creation of zen environments that provide balance and tranquility, as they easily connect to other elements.
For this reason, an original way to enjoy the Moai 's protective energy in contemporary times without having to travel to Rapa Nui is to take advantage of the beauty of its unique traits along with the stone's properties to insert it into garden decorations .
Insert the Moai sculpture into your garden decoration and enjoy its protective energy.
Even today, the insular province of Chile continues to be a source of research to decipher the symbology of the giant Moais statues, while the works of art remain sources of inspiration in our online store Arte & Tune to decorate external or internal environments with authenticity, enriching them with historical and cultural values.
Namaste!
Milene Sousa - Art & Tune
