| 释义 |
‖ manaia|maˈnaia|
[Maori.]
A motif in Maori carving with a bird-like head and a human body.
1896A. Hamilton Art Workmanship of Maori Race 12 The thin board-like central piece with a human figure between two pitau spirals is called Manaia by the Arawas. 1910J. Cowan Maoris of N.Z. xii. 165 Some of the wall slabs are carved into fantastic figures of fabulous water-monsters..others represent the mythical creatures known as the manaia and wheku with bird-like beaks and snaky tails all coiled in endless spirals. 1916[see bird-headed (bird n. 8)]. 1924E. Best Maori II. xxi. 574 A common design in the carved work of superior houses and elevated storehouses is that known as the manaia..a figure composed of a long, slim body, a birdlike head, and an indefinite number of legs. 1959Freeman & Geddes Anthropol. in South Seas 117 The important symbol in Maori carving termed the manaia I believe is basically avian in origin. 1963T. Barrow Life & Work Maori Carver 23 The most fascinating [mystery] is the origin and nature of a small creature called a manaia. There are many explanations; that it represents a malignant spirit, that it is merely a human image seen in profile, that it is a bird that attacked man in ancient times, or that it represents the mana or spiritual power of the human figure it is with. 1966Encycl. N.Z. II. 410/2 Apart from the naturalistic figure, every type of full-faced figure has a manaia to match... The head of the manaia can, in each case, be recognised as half of the head of the appropriate matching figure divided down the middle of the face. |