Hello Greg. You once wrote in BIONICLE: Encyclopedia Updated that “Kanohi” means “mask” in Matoran, and you’ve gone on to say it too online, I believe. But I wanted to dig a little deeper with these two simple questions:
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Is it safe to assume that kanohi specifically means “mask of power” and not just “mask”? They have been referred to as such in older media (maybe newer too, I am not sure). And it would make a bit of sense too, when you look at the fact that ka seems to have (maybe) meant “energy” (and potentially “power”), as well as definitely being a word for “spirit” in official canon. Places where it could have meant “power” and “energy” could be the inika, which means “the energies of a star”. So, does kanohi specifically mean “mask of power” in your opinion? Would you canonize this?
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If yes, could nohi be the word for “mask” then? (as in normal mask?)
Note: The theory also makes sense when you note that kal is a suffix which connotes greater power.
- If yes to the above two questions, then is kanoka literally “disk of power” and that noka just “disk”?
Ignika could also mean “power of life” or something similar.