Throughout history it seems as if humans have had a fascination with teeth. This fascination is manifest in many different ways, one of which is in the collection and preservation of shark teeth.
Part of this fascination may stem from the fact that human teeth are so useful to the individual. For example, a type human uses his or her teeth to eat, smile, talk, tear, and make other noises.
However the fascination of shark teeth may also stem from the fact that sharks, particularly in past times, were viewed as very dangerous animals. To obtain one of their teeth you either had to be very daring or very lucky.
As a result of the power of the shark, its tooth naturally became a symbol of ferocity and protection in some cultures around the world. It also came to symbolize other things as well.
There is a legend in Hawaii that describes one of the many things that shark tooth represented. The legend is a story of a woman who was attack by a shark.
The shark bit onto her ankle whereupon she told it that the shark was her aumakua. An aumoakua was a family god or deified ancestor.
Upon hearing this, the shark let go of the woman and said that he would not attack her again in the future because of the bite mark that he left on her ankle. Following the telling of this legend, many Hawaiians have tattooed pictures of shark teeth or bites on their ankles to let the sharks they may encounter know that they are their aumakua so they will not attack.
While many do not believe in the protective powers of this legend, the design itself has become quite popular and manifest in Hawaiian products. It shows up in kapa or barkcloth.
A famous relic of a great warrior of King Kamehameha is the warrior's cloak, which depicts five shark teeth. The teeth were meant to convey the fierceness and boldness of the warrior himself.
As time went on, the Hawaiians found many uses for shark teeth. One of the prime features of a shark tooth is the sharpness of its edges.
As you may have guessed, the tooth was therefore used as a knife to cut a variety of objects. They functions as tools and as the tips of spears.
They were also used to cut designs on kapa bamboo stampers, wooden kappa beaters, and as carving tools for decorative vases, drums, and gourds. Other parts of the shark were also used for a variety of things.
Their skins were also used for hula drums. Due to the rough outer texture of the skin, it was also used as sandpaper to make rough surfaces smooth.
These were also used for the membrane in a large temple. However, the teeth were still the most extensively used part of the shark.
Due to their sharp edge these teeth were also used as weapons. They would be fastened onto heavy wooden clubs and daggers. The jagged edges caused serious damage in a battle and cause gaping wounds.
Today, the surviving weapons are relics that are carefully taken care of and put on display in museums. Modern replicas of these weapons are also often used for decoration.
Shark tooth jewelry is also a part of the Hawaiian culture. Tradition states that these necklaces store the power of a shark and predator.
As you can probably guess, these necklaces were traditionally worn by warriors and the warrior tribe of the Kanaka Koa. The necklaces were said to lend to lend the power of the shark to the warrior.
However, these necklaces were also worn as a warning and protection against sharks. Today these necklaces are popular souvenirs and they are purchased and worn by many tourists when they take family trips to Hawaii.
Tourists also like to purchase necklaces that are made of fossils of shark teeth instead of the real things. Even if the stories are not true, they still fuel the human interest in teeth and represent the importance that teeth play in the everyday life of animals and humans, predators and herbivores, and insects and fish.
In addition to wearing a shark necklace, you can show that you care for teeth by actually about and taking care of your teeth. This can be done by the regular brushing and flossing as well as visiting the dentist that you have heard multiple times from your parents and your local dentists.
Author Resource:-
Ronald Pedactor is a former dental assistant and has authored hundreds of articles relating to oral health. He worked for a Dentist in Bluffton before becoming a guest dental lecturer for the past 15 years.
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