Today they are rare and few turtles come near the coast, although some can be seen in the coves at Hanga Piko and Hanga Roa o Tai. Due to their long lives, turtles are a symbol of longevity and prosperity<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In ancient times, it was considered a true art to be able to carve the fishing hooks that were used for the great predators, such as the tuna, the albacore and the sharks. The only material available were large stones (Mangai)<\/em> which were used for high seas fishing, such as tuna, and smaller stones (Roy)<\/em> for the smaller fish near the coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Traditional lore attributes the manufacture of the first Mangai Ivi Tangata<\/em>, a fish hook made of human bone, to the fisherman Ure of the Marama tribe. This clan used to fish at night so as not to be seen and kept the secret of their abundant catch for many years, until the word went out around the Island that they used human bones. Today the Mangai Ivi<\/em> are used as an amulet for good luck and well being and to stabilize one’s strength, as well as being a symbol for safe navigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Maori philosophy claims that stones have human attributes. They show human strengths and weaknesses, as can be seen in the origin myth of the Stone of Peace, which, if taken in one’s hands, will transmit its energy, its power to heal men and the earth and to bring forth in all men the Son of Peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A famous stone on Rapa Nui was a rock carved in the form of a small Moai which legend says was brought by Teke who arrived with the king Hotu Matu’a from Hiva. This stone was originally kept in the house of the king, but was later stolen and finally ended up in the region of Mahatua, where it was buried for safe-keeping in the earth by Te Kohou, uncle of the elder Nicol\u00e1s Pakarati Ure Potahi. The ethnologist Father Sebastian Englert (author of “La Tierra de Hotu Matu’a”) was told that if it was dug up and erected, it had the power to attract bands of Hahave<\/em> (flying fish) to the shore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At Ana Kai Tangata cavern on the southeast coast, there is a spacious grotto formed by walls of slate rock. On one of them, Rona painted in white and red can still be seen. This is one of the few remaining pictographs on the Island. That the colors have been able to resist the destructive effects of the sea air is an indication that they must have been prepared with colored earth mixed with shark oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Figures of birds, associated with the festival of Tangata Manu<\/a> or Bird-Man, can also be found carved on rocks around the Island, but especially at Orongo<\/a>, where that festival was held for approximately 200 years (1680 \u2013 1860). It was there, in the spring months, that kings, priests and warrior leaders of the various tribes waited for the arrival of the first egg of the sacred Manutara bird, a potent symbol of change and renewal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Within Polynesian cultures, the geckos or small lizards were considered to be sacred manifestations or messengers of the gods. When the gods got angry at someone, they would call on the Moko<\/a> which would crawl inside the body of the victim and devour his organs. The Maori believed that reptiles were descendants of Punga, son of Tangaroa, the god of the sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In New Zealand, the people used to leave geckos near caves or funerary chambers as guardians to take care of the dead. They were also used as models for stone talismans to protect the health and vitality of a forest or a tree. Sometimes they would be ceremoniously buried under the main pillar of an important building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/mangai.png.webp\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n2. Mangai or Fish Hook<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
3. Maea or Stones<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
4. Rona or Figures of Birds<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/moevarua.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/moko.png.webp\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n5. Moko or Lizards<\/h2>\n\n\n\n