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'{{other uses}} [[Image:Koru Unfurling.JPG|thumb|right|thumb|A fern frond unfurling]] [[Image:AirNZ Koru.jpg|thumb|thumb|The koru as used by Air New Zealand]] The '''koru''' ([[Māori language|Māori]] for "loop"<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.maoridictionary.co.nz/index.cfm?dictionaryKeywords=koru&n=1 |title=Māori dictionary |author=John C. Moorfield |year=2010 |work=Te Aka Māori-English, English-Māori Dictionary and Index |publisher=Te Whanake |accessdate=14 March 2010}}</ref>) is a spiral shape based on the shape of a new unfurling [[Cyathea dealbata|silver fern]] frond and symbolizing new life, growth, strength and peace.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/maori-creation-traditions/1/1 |title=Māori creation traditions |author=Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal |date=March 4, 2009 |work=Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |publisher=New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage / Te Manatū Taonga |accessdate=14 March 2010}}</ref> It is an integral symbol in [[Māori people|Māori]] art, [[bone carving|carving]] and [[tattoo]]s. The circular shape of the koru helps to convey the idea of perpetual movement while the inner coil suggests a return to the point of origin.{{cn|date=December 2013}} Koru is the integral central motif of symbolic, seemingly-abstract ''kowhaiwhai'' designs, traditionally used to decorate Maori [[wharenui]] (meeting houses). There are numerous semi-formal designs, representing different features of the natural world.<ref>Wison, Kemera "[http://www.maori.org.nz/whakairo/default.php?pid=sp55&parent=52 Whakairo" Maori Carving - Reading Kowhaiwhai]," maori.org.nz. Retrieved 12 February 2014.</ref> Koru can also refer to [[bone carving]]s. Those generally take the shape of the uncurling fern plant. When bone is worn on the skin, it changes colour as oil is absorbed. The Māori took this to symbolise that the spirit of the person was inhabiting the pendant. When someone gives a pendant to someone else, it is the custom that they wear it for a time so that part of their spirit is given as well. A koru design (based on the ''ngaru'' kowhaiwhai pattern) is used in a stylised form as the [[logo]] of [[Air New Zealand]] and as an iconic symbol of [[New Zealand]] flora. [[Friedensreich Hundertwasser]] based his [[Koru Flag]] for New Zealand on the symbol, and it also formed the basis for a notable series of artworks by [[Gordon Walters]]. The koru swirls are also reminiscent of the [[Tomoe]] symbol in [[Japan]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seiyaku.com/customs/crosses/koru.html |title=Koru Cross }}</ref> == Moja == For the summer of 2014 Koru was a symbol of Moja and used find each persons individual meaning of moja. Koru was murdered by our supervisor Carly on July, 28 2014 ==References== {{Reflist|2}} [https://www.mountainjade.co.nz/about-jade/learn-about-jade-in-new-zealand/greenstone-meanings-and-designs-koru-spiral/ Modern Examples of Koru designs] [[Category:Māori art]] [[Category:Māori words and phrases]] [[Category:Visual motifs]] [[Category:National symbols of New Zealand]]'