New Zealand’s three native species of Päua (Haliotis australis - known as abalone in other countries) are distinctive because of their magical multi-coloured shells. Päua are sacred to the Mäori and are a unique species of abalone found only in New Zealand, distinguished by their brilliantly coloured shells.
Each shell is a different size and has a different colour pattern and range, like Zebras, Cows, Tigers for example, making each shell one of a kind.
The Maori believe the Paua will bring connectivity and harmony to relationships. The way the colours of the shell shift in the light is also a symbol of change and transition in Maori culture.
This particular shell is deep, and fully polished on both sides. dominantly pink and green on the exterior and colourful on the interior - different!
You will receive this exact shell.
Use for smudging or Incense, Palo Santo, on your Altar, tealight candle, for small pieces of jewelry ... whatever you choose.
Measures ~
Height ~ 2.5cms / 1 " then tapers
Length ~ 13cms/5" x 8.5cms/3.5"
2# Large Paua Abalone Polished Shell
The myths and legends of New Zealand’s earliest inhabitants, the Māori, tell us that once, in the days of old, Paua had no shell.
In Māori culture, Tangaroa is one of the great gods, the god of the sea. He is a son of Ranginui and Papatūānuku, Sky and Earth.
Tangaroa, god of the sea, saw the difficulties that this created for Paua and decided to create something special for him. He said:
“I will take from my domain the coolest blues of the ocean. And ask of my brother Tane the freshest greens of the forest. From the dawn you shall have a tinge of violet. From the sunset a blush of pink. And overall there will be a shimmer of mother of pearl”.
With this, Tangaroa fashioned for Paua a wonderful coat that sparkled and dazzled with its beauty.But it was fragile and soon broken by those sea creatures who were envious of Paua’s new appearance. Tangaroa saw this, so he strengthened the shell with many layers of the coolest blues of the ocean, the freshest greens of the forest, the violet of the dawn and the pink of the sunset. Finally he added a camouflage coat to enable Paua to blend in with the drab greys and browns of the rocks.
Tangaroa then charged Paua with the life-long task of adding layer upon delicate layer, each a different hue and blend.
So it was that Paua got his shell. He hugs the secret of his inner beauty to himself and only at the end of his life, when his empty shell washes ashore, is his artistry revealed.