Left ear Ao
This Ao appears on the left ear, representing the male and acknowledges the beginning of a new mandate. Here it appears in contrast to the female komari carved on the opposite ear. Together these symbols express a cosmological duality - the complementary forces through which life and renewal are brought into being. This symbol is positioned alongside the Ao (carved on the head) to acknowledge the power of the king.
Fledgling
This is the image of a male fledgling is depicted with open beak. The two Taŋata Manu shown below are believed to represent the fledgling's mother and father. The fledgling symbolises the birth of a new leader - the Taŋata Manu.
Ao
Three Ao are depicted on this pakiopa: one on the left ear, representing the male, and two positioned on either side of the back of the head. The two Ao carved on either side of the head compliment the Ao and komari (carved on the left and right ears) to acknowledge the power and authority of the king and queen. The Ao is a chiefly staff which is a symbol of authority, used as a ritual accessory. The upper end bears carved faces on both sides and was often painted.
Taŋata Manu
This depicts two Taŋata Manu (Bird-men) representing the duality of man and woman - a pairing that symbolises the balance necessary for fertility, reproduction, and the continuation of life. Within the Taŋata Manu tradition, such imagery connects political power with renewal and rebirth.
Right ear Komari
The Komari is a symbol of female fertility and one of the most repeated motifs in Rapa Nui visual culture. Here it appears in contrast to the male Ao carved on the opposite ear. Together these symbols express a cosmological duality — the complementary forces through which life and renewal are brought into being. These symbols are positioned alongside the Ao (carved on the head) to acknowledge the power of the queen.
Egg
This depiction shows the egg under the protection of the Taŋata Manu. Central to the Taŋata Manu ceremony, the egg symbolises fertility, connecting political power with renewal and rebirth.
Kotaki belt
The traditional maro (girdle) comprised the hami (loincloth), the kotaki (waistband). The kotaki was formed from twisted strips of mahute (banana leaf fibre). In this pakiopa, the kotaki is a rainbow which represents the birth of an era.
Ring
This is a key point that is present in almost all works of moai. This is ring is regarded as a symbol of great power and respect.
Islets
These three points at the top of the head represent the three islets: Motu Nui, Motu Iti (smaller islet) and Motu Kau (small sea stack). Motu Nui, the largest of three islets off the southwestern tip of Rapa Nui near Oroŋo, functioned as the ritual destination in the Taŋata Manu (Bird-man) ceremony. Each competitor's hopu manu swam to the islet and waited for the first manutara (sooty tern) egg of the season. The hopu who returned it intact to Oroŋo was determined that year's Taŋata Manu.
Hami
This detail depicts the hami, the loincloth component of the maro design carved above the buttocks. The maro is a traditional girdle comprising the hami and kotaki (waistband) and is made from mahute (banana fibre). In this pakiopa, this part of the hami represents the rain.
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Created on February 12, 2026
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Transcript
Left ear Ao
This Ao appears on the left ear, representing the male and acknowledges the beginning of a new mandate. Here it appears in contrast to the female komari carved on the opposite ear. Together these symbols express a cosmological duality - the complementary forces through which life and renewal are brought into being. This symbol is positioned alongside the Ao (carved on the head) to acknowledge the power of the king.
Fledgling
This is the image of a male fledgling is depicted with open beak. The two Taŋata Manu shown below are believed to represent the fledgling's mother and father. The fledgling symbolises the birth of a new leader - the Taŋata Manu.
Ao
Three Ao are depicted on this pakiopa: one on the left ear, representing the male, and two positioned on either side of the back of the head. The two Ao carved on either side of the head compliment the Ao and komari (carved on the left and right ears) to acknowledge the power and authority of the king and queen. The Ao is a chiefly staff which is a symbol of authority, used as a ritual accessory. The upper end bears carved faces on both sides and was often painted.
Taŋata Manu
This depicts two Taŋata Manu (Bird-men) representing the duality of man and woman - a pairing that symbolises the balance necessary for fertility, reproduction, and the continuation of life. Within the Taŋata Manu tradition, such imagery connects political power with renewal and rebirth.
Right ear Komari
The Komari is a symbol of female fertility and one of the most repeated motifs in Rapa Nui visual culture. Here it appears in contrast to the male Ao carved on the opposite ear. Together these symbols express a cosmological duality — the complementary forces through which life and renewal are brought into being. These symbols are positioned alongside the Ao (carved on the head) to acknowledge the power of the queen.
Egg
This depiction shows the egg under the protection of the Taŋata Manu. Central to the Taŋata Manu ceremony, the egg symbolises fertility, connecting political power with renewal and rebirth.
Kotaki belt
The traditional maro (girdle) comprised the hami (loincloth), the kotaki (waistband). The kotaki was formed from twisted strips of mahute (banana leaf fibre). In this pakiopa, the kotaki is a rainbow which represents the birth of an era.
Ring
This is a key point that is present in almost all works of moai. This is ring is regarded as a symbol of great power and respect.
Islets
These three points at the top of the head represent the three islets: Motu Nui, Motu Iti (smaller islet) and Motu Kau (small sea stack). Motu Nui, the largest of three islets off the southwestern tip of Rapa Nui near Oroŋo, functioned as the ritual destination in the Taŋata Manu (Bird-man) ceremony. Each competitor's hopu manu swam to the islet and waited for the first manutara (sooty tern) egg of the season. The hopu who returned it intact to Oroŋo was determined that year's Taŋata Manu.
Hami
This detail depicts the hami, the loincloth component of the maro design carved above the buttocks. The maro is a traditional girdle comprising the hami and kotaki (waistband) and is made from mahute (banana fibre). In this pakiopa, this part of the hami represents the rain.