Main Idea
This myth explains how the world began from darkness.
Polynesian Creation Myth
Father Sky in the myth.
Rangi.
In the beginning, there was only this.
Darkness. (Po)
The myth explains why this exists alongside darkness.
Light.
God of the sea.
Tangaroa.
The world started in this condition before anything existed.
Darkness (Po)
Earth Mother in the myth.
Papa.
Rangi and Papa were stuck like this before separation.
Pressed tightly together.
It explains why these two are separate.
Sky and Earth
God of war.
Tū-mata-uenga. (Tu)
How does this myth show the connection between humans and the natural world.
Humans are connected to nature and the gods.
This god of forests separated his parents.
Tāne-mahuta. (Tane)
The children of Rangi and Papa are also known as these.
Gods.
The myth explains the origins of these living things.
Plants, Animals, and Humans.
This natural element represents Rangi’s tears.
Dew.
These two beings were separated to create space and light.
Rangi & Papa. (Sky and Earth)
This storm god opposed the separation.
Tāwhiri-mātea. (Tawhiri)
This god pushed his parents apart.
Tāne-mahuta. (Tane)
This natural event represents Tāwhiri-mātea’s (Tawhiri) anger.
Storms.
This god became angry after the separation and caused chaos.
Tāwhiri-mātea. (Tawhiri)
The main idea includes the creation of space, light, and this.
Life.
This demi-god helped humans by bringing fire and creating islands.
Maui.
After the separation of Rangi and Papa, this entered the world.
Light.
This shows Papa’s longing for Rangi.
Morning mist.
Humans were created from this material.
Clay.