Several variants of 'hand' signs are used in the rongorongo texts. The 'eating gesture' is easy to recognize and understand: by nourishment growth results:
A closed 'fist' can be thought of as a 'full hand'. The Polynesians count by flexing the fingers, not by extending them. When the hand is open its meaning is the opposite - an empty ('zero') hand, as for instance when after noon sun is reaching his end:
An empty hand is a receptacle. It therefore has female characteristics and by playing on this idea - and on the kava ceremony - empty hands can become fists, develop into 'buds' by becoming 'impregnated'. The female 'flower', pua (also the name for ginger), receives and will house the next generation. |
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Excursion:
Investigating how in the text of Small Santiago (G) the regenerative process is described. |
