Of all the creatures of the sea and of the
Hawaiian Petroglyph symbols, the Honu (turtle)
is my favorite.
Some say the honu represents long life; others
say that it represents good luck. I prefer to
believe the story told to me some years ago by
an old friend that the honu represents a link
between the land and the sea because it lives
in both these worlds. It also represents a link
between the past and the present. To have
the honu in your home brings peace,
tranquility, and harmony with your ancestors.
Hawaiian Petroglyph symbols, the Honu (turtle)
is my favorite.
Some say the honu represents long life; others
say that it represents good luck. I prefer to
believe the story told to me some years ago by
an old friend that the honu represents a link
between the land and the sea because it lives
in both these worlds. It also represents a link
between the past and the present. To have
the honu in your home brings peace,
tranquility, and harmony with your ancestors.
| Petroglyph Honu Sculpted in Hawaiian KOA Wood |
Paintings by Joel
| May 23, 2008 |
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This wonderful creature has been the subject of a number of my paintings
either in petroglyph form or in its natural state. Honu are so important to me
that my wife had my wedding band made with my own honu design encircling
the band. It is fitting that the Honu be the first subject of my wood sculptures,
and what more meaningful wood to select for this sculpture than Koa wood.
Koa, a much sought after native wood on the Islands, is a quickly disappearing
resource. It is currently grown primarily on the Big Island (Hawaii) for export to
the mainland. In this piece, I have incorporated lava rock on which I have also
carved my petroglyph designs.
Note: The rocks found in the Hawaiian Islands are all volcanic. The texture,
whether rough lava or smooth stream bed, depends upon how the stone
emerged from the ground. The reported "tradition" of bad luck befalling those
who remove lava rock from the islands is dependent on the intentions of the
person removing the rock. If one "steals" a piece of lava rock from where it has
rested forever, particularly if it is taken from an altar or heiau (temple), "bad
luck" may indeed befall them. Rocks and stones gathered with consciousness
and respect from Maui's stream beds and beaches, not sacred places, and
later created into art can be taken anywhere in the world with no ill effect.
either in petroglyph form or in its natural state. Honu are so important to me
that my wife had my wedding band made with my own honu design encircling
the band. It is fitting that the Honu be the first subject of my wood sculptures,
and what more meaningful wood to select for this sculpture than Koa wood.
Koa, a much sought after native wood on the Islands, is a quickly disappearing
resource. It is currently grown primarily on the Big Island (Hawaii) for export to
the mainland. In this piece, I have incorporated lava rock on which I have also
carved my petroglyph designs.
Note: The rocks found in the Hawaiian Islands are all volcanic. The texture,
whether rough lava or smooth stream bed, depends upon how the stone
emerged from the ground. The reported "tradition" of bad luck befalling those
who remove lava rock from the islands is dependent on the intentions of the
person removing the rock. If one "steals" a piece of lava rock from where it has
rested forever, particularly if it is taken from an altar or heiau (temple), "bad
luck" may indeed befall them. Rocks and stones gathered with consciousness
and respect from Maui's stream beds and beaches, not sacred places, and
later created into art can be taken anywhere in the world with no ill effect.