Home > Polynesian mythology
Polynesia is a triangle of islands in the Pacific Ocean. It was settled by voyagers from the Polynesian heartland of Tonga and Samoa, who fanned out to island groups to the east, such as Tahiti, the Marquesas, New Zealand, and Hawai'i. The various Polynesian languages are still close and there are many cultural similarities between the various groups. Their mythologies in particular tend to be local reworkings of commonly shared tales. There is often a supreme god, Kanaloa or Tangaroa, who is of less real importance than the subordinate gods who cater to human interests. There is usually a story of the marriage of Sky and Earth, who give birth to the world and all things in it. There are stories of islands being pulled up from the bottom of the sea by a magic fishhook, or thrown down as rocks from heaven. There are stories of voyages and migrations, as one might expect. There is a trickster god, Maui.
In addition to these shared tales, each island group also had its own stories of demi-gods and culture heroes, shading gradually into the firmer outlines of remembered history. Often such stories are linked to various geographic features, which may be described as the petrified remains of the supernatural beings.
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- Afa
- AhoeituIn Polynesian mythology (specifically: Tonga), Ahoeitu is a son of the god Eitumatupua, who climbed to earth from the sky on a tree and fathered Ahoeitu by Ilaheva. Eitumatupua left Earth and his lover and son. Ahoeitu grew into a man and wanted to find h
- AituIn Polynesian mythology, the Aitu are a group of lesser gods, many being patrons of specific villages and familes. They often take the form of plants or animals, and are often more cruel than other gods. Alternative: Atua ( Marquesas Islands), Nuku-mai-To
- Alii MenehuneIn Polynesian mythology, the Alii Menehune ("highest Menehune") are the chiefs of the Menehune, who are similar to fairies. Polynesian mythology.
- Ami-Te-RangiIn Polynesian mythology, Ami-Te-Rangi is a sky god who eats humans, devouring them by catching them with a device similar to a fishing pole. He sits in heaven angling for men. Polynesian gods Sky and weather gods.
- AoFor information on the initialism A. In Polynesian mythology, Ao ("light") is the god of the clouds and the ancestor of the Maori. He is a patron of sailors, who use the clouds to navigate and predict weather. Alternative: Ao Toto ("blood red dawn") In th
- ApakuraIn Polynesian mythology, Apakura is mother goddess widely worshipped by the Maori. Polynesian goddesses.
- Apu-HauIn Polynesian mythology (specifically: Hawaii), Apu-Hau ("fierce squall") is a storm god. Polynesian gods Sky and weather gods.
- Apu-Ko-HaiIn Polynesian mythology (specifically: Kanei), Apu-Ko-Hai is a god of fish and other sea creatures. Polynesian gods Sea and river gods.
- Ara Tiotio
- Aremata-Popoa
- Aremata-Rorua
- Areoi
- Arohirohi
- Atanea
- Atanua
- Atarapa
- Atea
- Ati
- Atonga
- Atu
- Atua
- Atua Fafine
- Atua I Kafika
- Atua I Raropuka
- Atutuahi
- Auahi-Turoa
- Aumakua
- Auparu
- Auraka
- Auriaria
- Avaiki
- Avaiki Tautau
- Avatea
- Awha
