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 of Hawaiian ancestry 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 of Hawaiian ancestry 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
| December 21, 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 disappearing
resource - although there is a movement to cultivate this wonderful tree in small
pockets in the Maui rainforests. 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 disappearing
resource - although there is a movement to cultivate this wonderful tree in small
pockets in the Maui rainforests. 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.
