The spirits grow restless... in order to continue your journey to becoming a revered immortal, you must learn about the creatures who live in darkness.
This book is a collection of information revolving around creatures and well-known myths from Asi...
Māori are the indigenous Polynesian people and the second-largest ethnic group in New Zealand. They were originally settlers from East Polynesia who arrived in New Zealand between 1320 and 1350. Over time, they developed a unique culture, different from East Polynesian cultures.
The Māori culture is rich in mythology with diverse gods and goddesses, playing significant roles in their traditional beliefs. These deities are revered for their unique attributes and domains. They shape various aspects of Māori life and the natural world.
The fifth of the Māori people speak the Māori language, which is considered as the greatest of all cultural treasures. In their language, the word Māori means "ordinary," "natural," or "normal," thus differentiating mortals from deities. It is an Eastern Polynesian language with the official language status in New Zealand.
Whether it is their language or other aspects of culture, the influence of mythology is evident in everything. We have compiled a list of Māori gods and goddesses, but it isn't exhaustive and we will continue to talk about Māori mythology and legends in our upcoming articles.
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Gods & Goddesses
Ranginui and Papatūānuku are the divine parents and appear in the creation myth. Ranginui is the father personifying the vast expense of the sky. And Papatūānuku is the mother embodying earth. It is believed that their union brought forth all creation and their separation created space for life to flourish.
Tangaroa is the god of ocean and marine life. He is sometimes depicted as a whale. He is the son of Ranginui and Papatūānuku and is forced to hide in the sea because of his brother, Tāwhirimātea'sattack.
Tāwhirimātea is the god of storms and violent weather. Māori mythology recognizes his power to shape the elements and unleash devastating tempests. His volatile nature serves as a reminder of the forces of nature and the need for balance and respect in the face of their might.
Aituā is the god responsible for the occurrences of death, fortune, and misfortune in the lives of individuals. It is believed that Aituā influences one's destiny and plays a significant role in shaping the course of their life.
Whiro is the god of darkness and evil in Māori mythology. He is associated with malevolence, misfortune, and all things wicked. He serves as a reminder of the duality within the Māori cosmology, highlighting the balance between light and darkness.
Ao (daylight) is one of the primal gods. He is the personification of light, clouds, and the ordinary world, as opposed to darkness (Pō) and the underworld.
Rongomātāne is the god of cultivated foods, particularly sweet potatoes and other crops grown by Māori communities. Haumiatiketike is the god of uncultivated foods with a focus on the bracken fern.
Tāne Mahuta is revered as the god of forests, representing the abundant flora and fauna that thrive within these sacred realms. Birds are considered his messengers and companions. Tāne Mahuta plays a crucial role in the Māori creation story and is honored for his connection to the natural world.
Tūmatauenga is the god of war and agriculture. He embodies both the fierce warrior spirit and the nurturing aspects of agriculture and he represents strength, courage, and strategic prowess in battle. He also oversees the domains of farming and agriculture, promoting sustenance and prosperity within Māori communities.
Ruaumoko is the god of earthquakes, volcanoes, and seasons. He is the youngest son of Ranginui (the Sky father) and Papatūānuku (the Earth mother).
Urutengangana (The Gleaming One) is the god of light in Māori mythology. He is the firstborn of the children of the primordial parents.
Rehua is the star god, who has the power to heal. He is a very sacred personage, who lives in Te Putahi-nui-o-Rehua in Rangi-tuarea, the tenth and highest of the heavens in some versions of Māori lore.
Auahitūroa is a male deity, a personification of comets, and the origin of the fire. His wife is Mahuika, a Māori fire deity.
Maru is the god of freshwater and the southern god of war.
Uenuku (or Uenuku-Kōpako) is a god of rainbows and a prominent ancestor in Māori tradition. Māori believed that the rainbow's appearance represented an omen, and one kind of yearly offering made to him was that of the young leaves of the first planted kūmara crop.
Ikatere is a fish god and father of all sea creatures.
Ārohirohi is the goddess of mirages and shimmering heat. She is the wife of Tama-nui-te-rā, the personification of the Sun.
Hine-nui-te-pō ("Great woman of night") is a goddess of night, and she receives the spirits of humans when they die. In Māori legends, it is believed that the color red in the sky comes from her.
Rohe is the goddess of the spirit world.
Whaitiri is a goddess of thunder in Māori mythology. She is a fearsome figure, fond of cannibalism.
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