2o6 



Ka Hana Kapa. 



so than the life-like lion, tiger or dog seen on the mats Avoven in American or English 

 looms not many decades ago. 



The kapa ornamentation is purely geometric (the exceptions are few, and as 

 far as known will be noted), and it is not symbolic; it is not intended to convej- any 

 esoteric meaning, it is simpU- to please the ej-e as the perfumes with which the kapa 

 was impregnated were to tickle the nostrils. If anj^ of m}' readers choose to see a 

 cloud or a whale in any of the Hawaiian kapa designs they are of course at liberty to 

 do so; some of the figures may be "ver^- like" either. In naming the bent knee pat- 

 tern it was not meant that the zigzag presents a human knee, but merely that the 

 shape reminded one of the knee in such a position ; it was never a symbol of a bent 

 knee, or worship in the sense that the Egyptian hieroglyph for water (also a double 

 zigzag) represented the motion of waves. 



FIG. 124. GEOMETRIC DESIGNS l^SED IN MAT WEAVING. 



For convenience we maj- adopt a classification of Hawaiian kapa designs which 

 has already- been briefly suggested in the description of marking tools and is now en- 

 larged to put in more orderl}- form before my readers the extent and variety of merely 

 geometrical printed or ruled designs used by the Hawaiian kapa makers and printers of 

 earlier days. I include the designs of the other Polynesians onh- b}- way of side-light. 



1. Lines straight, either single or in groups and parallel. Pis. E, O, Q, R, 

 S, W, 38. This, although the simplest, could not have been the earliest form of deco- 

 ration, for it requires the use of a ruler or straight edge ; a rude curve is easier to the 

 untaught artist. 



2. Lines straight with abrupt variation (Pis. 29 and O); unexpected termina- 

 tions (PI. 47), or the common zigzag (Pi. P). These add great variety to the mere 

 ruled line. 



3. Lines straight inclined to each other (Fig. 62, PI. 39). 



4. Lines straight in two or more series crossing each other at right angles 

 (Figs. 52, 64), or an}' lesser angle (Figs. 44, 60, PI. H). 



