Bone carvings, along with other ancient artifacts was a form of language. The Polynesian language was unwritten for centuries and much of the their stories and traditions were memorized and passed down from generation to generation. Bone carvings told stories of their existence and affirmed ancestry. In its early existence, bone carvings were worn only by the chiefs as a way to distinguish themselves.

Bone carvings, along with other precious stones molded by the creator to represent or symbolize certain meanings and traditions carry a far greater value to the receiver and the subsequent owners than the creator himself. The creation is a gift and acts as a vessel of the spirits, therefore containing, through the natural absorption of the oils of the skin, the very essence of those who wear it. The natural transformation of the bone carving losing its white luster and turning translucent is symbolic of this and has been revered by the ancient Polynesians as a way to link ancestors to their generations.

The Polynesians have a rich culture in tradition and spirituality. Much of the rituals, artifacts, and traditions of the past and still being practiced today are deeply rooted to Deity. The ancient stories of the Pacific Islands passed down from generation to generation has one common thread – That God exists! Many of the symbols that are depicted in these carvings suggest that we are a part of great plan engineered by a great designer. 

Many of the images portray demigods like Hei Tiki. Others portray images of half human, half creature like the Taniwha or the Manaia. Ancient legends tell of giants, demigods and different forms of mutants that existed primitively. To some degree these images give some indication that the ancient Polynesians struggled with today's toughest question- Does God exist? What does he look like? Were we created? These polarizing questions occupy much of our thoughts today and compels many of us to seek answers from a greater source through faith. Like the ancient Polynesians, we too have depictions of deity and seek to understand our existence and our connections to him through careful examination of our ancestry. There is no question that Christianity has had a major influence on the Polynesians of today because of the of the ancient traditions and legends.