Measurements:  120 mm or 12 cm length by 30 mm or 3 cm length.

Smokey brown plaited wax cord adjustable to size.

Packaging: Black leather bound box with white inner pad.

A bone breastplate carved in the spirit of Tāwhirimātea is a deeply sacred taonga that carries the mana (spiritual power) of both the atua (god) of wind and weather and the material of bone, which connects the wearer to ancestry, protection, and the cycle of life and death.

Tāwhirimātea – Atua of Wind, Storms, and Emotion

Tāwhirimātea is the god of winds, storms, thunder, and weather.

He is known for resisting the separation of his parents Ranginui (Sky Father) and Papatūānuku (Earth Mother), unlike his brothers.

In his grief and rage, Tāwhirimātea tore out his own eyes and cast them into the sky, forming the Matariki star cluster — a symbol of guidance, memory, and renewal.

Symbolism of Bone as a Material

Bone carvings, especially from whale bone or beef bone, are considered tapu (sacred).

Bone represents strength, ancestry, and continuity.

It carries the wairua (spirit) of the animal it came from and, when worn, connects the wearer to their ancestors (tūpuna) and spiritual realm.

Meaning of a Bone Tāwhirimātea Breastplate

 Force of Emotion and Spirit

Tāwhirimātea governs unseen forces — wind, breath, emotion.

A breastplate worn across the heart symbolizes the internal realm — grief, rage, love, and spiritual insight.

Matariki – The Eyes of Tāwhirimātea

His eyes, transformed into stars, symbolize guidance, remembrance, and the return of the light.

The breastplate may honour Matariki and the spiritual renewal it brings.

Protection of the Wairua

The breastplate functions like spiritual armor, shielding the wairua (soul) from harm or imbalance.

It may be worn by those who lead with the heart, or those seeking strength during times of emotional storm.

Connection to the Sacred and Natural World

Bone taonga carry the essence of life — they are a reminder that all beings are interconnected.

When paired with Tāwhirimātea, the carving becomes a symbol of respect for natural power and ancestral legacy.

A bone breastplate of Tāwhirimātea is a powerful taonga representing protection, spiritual resilience, and emotional force. It connects the wearer to the winds of change, the stars of Matariki, and the strength of their ancestors. Carved from sacred bone, it honours both the atua of the skies and the cycles of life, loss, and renewal.