Mythology of the Polynesian islands

Visit the links to learn about the Polynesian myths related to objects in the sky, and aspects of their world.

Back to the World Map
<a href="/mythology/planets/dwarf_planets/makemake.html&edu=high">Makemake</a> was the creator of humanity and the god of fertility in the mythology of the South Pacific island of Rapa Nui (also known as Easter Island). He was also the chief god of the bird-man cult, and was worshipped in the form of sea birds. This image shows a petroglyph of Makemake on Easter Island.  In July 2008, a <a href="/our_solar_system/dwarf_planets/makemake.html&edu=high">recently discovered dwarf planet</a> was named after Makemake.<p><small><em> Public domain image/Wikipedia Commons</em></small></p>

Windows to the Universe Community

News

Opportunities

Shop Windows to the Universe

With Explore the Planets, investigate the planets, their moons, and understand the processes that shape them. By G. Jeffrey Taylor, Ph.D. See our DVD collection.

Generous sponsorship of Windows to the Universe is provided by the Hewlett Foundation, the American Geological Institute, the American Geophysical Union, the National Science Foundation, NASA, NCAR, and the CISM and CMMAP projects. NASA CMMAP AGU CISM NCAR Hewlett AGI NSF