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GD51
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hipu | Metoro said hipu (calabash) at this type of glyph, though only seldom. But adding those glyphs at which he said hue (calabash) we can conclude he often saw a calabash in hipu glyphs. | |||||||||||
A few preliminary remarks and imaginations: 1. The hanging form indicates a body drawn down by gravity. Presumably the idea is to suggest a body filled with fluid, 'water'. Water runs downwards and it is trying to go down as far as possible - only the form of the container is an obstacle, contains it. Water is in opposition to fire. The contrast can be seen in Hanga Te Pau compared with Tama:
Closed fists are filled with fingers, meaning 'fire'. They are held high, towards the sky, because the flames of a fire stretch towards heaven. Tama is the new year - the little child (tamaiti) - filled with promise. In the pau foot, on the other hand, the future is pointing downwards. The 'clubfoot' (va'e pau) is filled with fluid. It cannot hold any fire. Fire is up, water is down. |
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