Kū

3D Model

‘aumakua hulu manu (Hawaiian feathered god image)

Hawaiians believed that the bodies of their gods were entirely covered with feathers, so when making images of them, they covered them in feathers as well.

This ‘aumakua hulu manu depicts the fearsome head of the Hawaiian war god Kūkā‘ilimoku (Kū - snatcher of the islands). ‘aumakua hulu manu of Kū were taken into battle to inspire warriors. When they weren’t being used for war, they lived in a special god house contained within the heiau (temple).

From https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/topic/1108