Story: Taranaki tribe

Te Ua Haumēne’s flag

Te Ua Haumēne’s flag

Symbols on the personal flag of Te Ua Haumēne depict the central ideas of the Hauhau faith. Te Ua, who had studied the Bible, likened the Māori people to the Israelites, who would be restored to their birthright in Canaan (New Zealand) after a day of deliverance. The Māori word Kēnana means Canaan, while the trefoil symbol at left represents the holy trinity. The other two symbols (one of which is probably the Greek letter omega) may signify the final judgement.

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Reference: F.7056/41 - W. F. Gordon, Te Ua flag

Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Te Miringa Hōhaia, 'Taranaki tribe - Resistance', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/1876/te-ua-haumenes-flag (accessed 19 April 2024)

Story by Te Miringa Hōhaia, published 8 Feb 2005, updated 1 Mar 2017