Bringing balance and protection

The profile of a manaia is commonly thought to depict the head of a bird, a tail of a fish, and the body of a man, representing the balance between earth, sky, and sea. What manaia traditionally meant to Māori remains somewhat a mystery, but commonly it is considered that they are magical creatures and spiritual kaitiaki (guardians) of things worth protecting. Today, pounamu manaia are gifted between loved ones for protection and worn to ward off evil.