| When most people imagine Easter Island, they | | | | over Polynesia as far back as 1500 BC. Over time, the |
| immediately think of the Moai. Moai are immense | | | | style became varied between the different islands of |
| human figures carved from rock between the years | | | | the region. This, perhaps, accounts for the minor |
| of 1250 and 1500 on Easter Island, a Polynesian island | | | | stylistic differences between the Moai figures of New |
| several hundred miles off the coast of Chile. | | | | Zealand and tiki carvings found on other islands. |
| Many myths and legends are attached to ancient | | | | There are certainly many superficial similarities |
| Polynesian cultures, including the Easter Island Moai | | | | between the two types of carvings, but what about |
| culture as well as the tiki gods found elsewhere in | | | | the symbolism? On many islands, the Tiki myth is |
| Polynesia. Many apply the term 'Tiki' to any carved | | | | connected to a legend about the first man. Later, tiki |
| human figures originating in Polynesia. In fact, the Moai | | | | statues became representations not only of this first |
| are often referred to as the "Easter Island Tikis" | | | | man, but also other spiritual symbols, such as tiki gods. |
| because of the stylistic similarities between these | | | | Moai statues represent the living faces of powerful |
| figures and the tiki found elsewhere in Polynesia. | | | | former chiefs, ancestral spirits, and mythological beings. |
| As found in America, popular Tiki culture combines | | | | It has been argued that Moai statues, carved in the |
| elements that are actually found in distinct cultures, | | | | shape of gods, served to house the gods' spirits. Many |
| including Hawaiian, Polynesian, Maori from New | | | | find similarities between the legends behind the creation |
| Zealand, and the culture of Easter Islande. Many do not | | | | of Moai monolithic heads and that of Tiki statues. |
| realize that tiki culture has such varied roots. In the | | | | This popular tourist attractions are considered a |
| United States, these distinct cultures have been | | | | remarkable feat, similar to the pyramids in Egypt. The |
| blended into popular tiki culture. However, upon visiting | | | | tallest moai on the island, known as Paro, measures |
| the islands themselves, the differences become | | | | over 30 feet tall and weighs 75 tons. It is believed that |
| apparent. | | | | there were once over 900 of these large statues. |
| The oversized heads of the Moai are often confused | | | | Today, groups of the Moai still exist in several locations |
| with the tiki gods from elsewhere in Polynesia due to | | | | around the island. Many are found on Polynesian |
| their minimalist style. Both Moai and Tiki carvings | | | | ceremonial sites known as Marae. Throughout the |
| portray human faces or humanoid forms, often with a | | | | Polynesian world, both moai and tiki traditions evolved |
| very small body if one is carved at all. Like the tiki | | | | at these Marae sites. Both tiki and Moai statues were |
| figures, the Moai have relatively flat faces and very | | | | used to mark the boundaries of sacred sites. One |
| large and elongated heads when compared to their | | | | such place on Easter Island, known as Rapa Nui, is the |
| bodies. Similarly to popular tiki imagery, the Moai on | | | | location of a famous example of Moai stone figures |
| Easter Island have large, broad noses. | | | | set in a ring. |
| Carved wooden and stone statues were created all | | | | |