View source for Koru

{{short description|Spiral shape of an unfurling fern frond}}
{{Italic title}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=May 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
[[Image:Koru Unfurling.JPG|thumb|right|An unfurling [[Cyathea dealbata|silver fern]] frond]]
[[File:Kowhaiwhai.jpg|thumb|right|''Koru kōwhaiwhai'' patterns on a rafter from the [[Ngāti Maru (Hauraki)|Ngāti Maru]] ''[[wharenui]]'' Hotunui]]
[[File:Koru flag.svg|thumb|right|The [[koru flag]]]]

The {{Lang-for|mi|'''koru'''|loop or coil}}<ref>{{cite dictionary |url=http://www.maoridictionary.co.nz/index.cfm?dictionaryKeywords=koru&n=1 |entry=koru |last1=Moorfield |first1=John C. |author-link=John Moorfield|title=Koru - te Aka Māori Dictionary |year=2010 |dictionary=Te Aka Māori–English, English–Māori Dictionary and Index |publisher=Te Whanake |access-date=14 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722081807/http://www.maoridictionary.co.nz/index.cfm?dictionaryKeywords=koru&n=1 |archive-date=22 July 2011 }}</ref> is a spiral shape evoking a newly [[Circinate vernation|unfurling]] frond from a [[Cyathea dealbata|silver fern]] frond.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Houlahan |first=Mike |date=27 December 2018 |title=The koru – arguably the best-known Maori symbol |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/lifestyle/summer-times/koru-arguably-best-known-maori-symbol |access-date=14 October 2022}}</ref> It is an integral symbol in [[Māori people|Māori]] art, [[bone carving|carving]] and [[Tā moko|tattooing]], where it symbolises new life, growth, strength and peace.<ref name=":0">{{cite encyclopedia|url= http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/maori-creation-traditions/1/1|title= Māori creation traditions|author=Royal|first=Te Ahukaramū Charles|date=March 4, 2009|encyclopedia=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand|publisher=New Zealand [[Ministry for Culture and Heritage]] / Te Manatū Taonga|access-date=14 March 2010}}</ref>
Its shape "conveys the idea of perpetual movement," while the inner coil "suggests returning to the point of origin".<ref name=":0" />

==Use in traditional design==
The ''koru'' is the integral motif of the symbolic and seemingly abstract ''kōwhaiwhai'' designs traditionally used to decorate ''[[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] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206085355/http://www.maori.org.nz/whakairo/default.php?pid=sp55&parent=52 |date=6 February 2015 }}", maori.org.nz. Retrieved 12 February 2014.</ref>

==More recent adaptations==
The logo of [[Air New Zealand]], the [[Flag carrier|national carrier]], incorporates a ''koru'' design — based on the Ngaru ([[Ngāti Kahungunu]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.maori.org.nz/whakairo/default.php?pid=sp55&parent=52|title=Maori Carving: Reading Kowhaiwhai|website=www.maori.org.nz|access-date=2018-02-07|archive-date=6 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206085355/http://www.maori.org.nz/whakairo/default.php?pid=sp55&parent=52|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''kōwhaiwhai'' pattern — as a symbol of [[Flora of New Zealand|New Zealand flora]]. The logo was introduced in 1973 to coincide with the arrival of the airline's first [[McDonnell Douglas DC-10]] wide-body jet. Several other nationwide organisations also use a koru in their logos, among them the [[New Zealand Department of Conservation]].

In 1983, [[Friedensreich Hundertwasser]] based [[Hundertwasser koru flag|his proposed design for a secondary New Zealand flag]] on the symbol. It also formed the basis for a notable series of artworks by [[Gordon Walters]]. Koru swirls are also reminiscent of the [[Tomoe]] symbol in [[Japan]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.seiyaku.com/customs/crosses/koru.html |title=Koru Cross }}</ref>

The [[New Zealand Police]] use their own adaptions of the koru, the police koru is used in all version of the police logo. According to police "the koru is a reference to te ao Māori and a celebration of Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique heritage. Its connotations of encapsulation, protection and peace align with our values as an organisation and reiterate New Zealand Police’s commitment to Māori." Many parts of the police koru are used to symbiose police values such as the 8° angle which represents the continuous forward momentum police strive for and the flat or 'sharp' bottom, which represents the solid foundations of Police.<ref>https://fyi.org.nz/request/22200/response/84355/attach/2/New%20Zealand%20Police%20Brand%20Use%20Guidelines%20final.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=August 2025}}</ref>

The [[New Zealand national korfball team]] is nicknamed ''The Korus''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Māori Culture – New Zealand Trade Manual |url=https://www.newzealandtrademanual.com/new-zealand-info/new-zealand-culture/maori-culture/ |website=www.newzealandtrademanual.com |access-date=7 March 2019}}</ref>

==References==
{{Commonscat}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Māori}}
[[Category:Māori art]]
[[Category:Māori words and phrases]]
[[Category:Visual motifs]]
[[Category:National symbols of New Zealand]]
[[Category:Spirals]]