Each Tiki has its own meaning. There are Tikis representing power, knowledge, wisdom, prosperity and many other strong concepts. In addition to inspiring sculptors, nowadays Tikis are also very often represented in the art of tattooing.

What is the meaning behind a tiki?

In Polynesian mythology, tiki often represents the first human being on Earth. ... Tiki statues were carved to represent the image of a certain god and as an embodiment of that specific god's mana, or power.

Where did the word tiki originate from?

But the roots of tiki are far from the Pacific Islands. A Maori word for the carved image of a god or ancestor, tiki became synonymous in the United States and elsewhere for gimmicky souvenirs and décor.