Thors Hammer Pounamu

I carved this 5cm high Thor’s Hammer from deep green Kawakawa Pounamu as a taonga of strength, intention, and unity. The surface carries a series of subtle Celtic runes, including the infinity symbol—chosen by the customer for its meaning of enduring connection. It features a Toki lashing in black cord at the tip, tying the piece together in a traditional style. This taonga is not just a pendant. It’s a symbol of honour and respect, crafted to be gifted to a young woman’s parents as part of asking for their blessing to marry their daughter.

The gesture of gifting a taonga in this context carries deep cultural weight. In te ao Māori, as in many cultures, seeking the blessing of the whānau shows reverence for the wider relationships that support and surround a couple. Pounamu itself is a connector—it binds people to land, to lineage, and to one another. The Thor’s Hammer, with its roots in Norse mythology, represents protection, strength, and the forging of new bonds—making it a powerful form to carry this kaupapa.

This piece holds both personal and symbolic meaning. It brings together traditions from different parts of the world—Norse and Celtic design, with the mana of Aotearoa’s Pounamu—into a single gift of deep intent. It is a way to express a wish not only to join lives, but to honour those who gave them.