Tuesday, June 4, 2013

ʻUmeke a Hina, or Calabash of the goddess Hina is a symbol of abundance. Hina was the wife of Kū, god of the forests, fishing, husbandry, war, and governance. The figure is one of a few that is made with the assistance of the toe. The calabash should sit on the earth with the wide mouth facing up to accept and receive the bounty of the land. I have seen string enthusiasts and "experts" on Hawaiian hei display this figure upside down; however, this action portends loss of abundance and wealth.