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">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">recently discovered dwarf planet</a> was named after Makemake.<p><small><em> Public domain image/Wikipedia Commons</em></small></p>

Explore Mythology of the Polynesian islands

Maori: Papa

According to the Maori people of New Zealand, Rangi was the Sky Father and his wife was the ...Read more

Maori: Tangaroa

Tangaroa was one of the children of the Sky Father, Rangi, and Mother Earth,Papa. He was the ...Read more

Maori: Tawhiri

Tawhiri was very angry with his brothers. They disagreed about whether their parents, Rangi ...Read more

Maori: Rona

Rona was the daughter of the sea god Tangaroa. She was the Tide Controller. One night she ...Read more

Maori: Rangi

According to the Maori people of New Zealand, Rangi was the Sky Father and his wife was the ...Read more

Hawaii: Pele

Pele is a fire goddess according to the people of Hawaii. She is a savage and wrathful divinity ...Read more

Hawaii: Haumea

Haumea was the goddess of childbirth in Hawaiian mythology. One of her children was the volcano ...Read more

Maui

Maui was a hero of Polynesian mythology. For Maui and his mother the days were too short. For ...Read more

Rapa Nui: Makemake

Makemake was the creator of humanity and the god of fertility in the mythology of the South ...Read more

Historical Events

Full Earth and Space Science    History Calendar (Members only)

Teacher Opportunities

Full Teacher Events Calendar (Educator Members only)

Did you know?

Did you know that you can now share your poems about our collection of cloud art photos. Have fun!

Did you know that individuals don’t evolve, but populations do?

 

Earth and Space Science Concept of the Day

Do you know what this word or phrase means?

Plasmoid
xPlasmoid : A structure of plasma and magnetic fields proposed to explain several natural phenomena including magnetic bubbles in magentospheres and ball lightning

Click on the word to find out!

Research Highlights

Scientists Find Signs of “Snowball Earth” Amidst Early Animal Evolution

There used to be sea ice floating on the tropical ocean, according to new evidence found by geologists. This was quite a long time ago, 716.5 million years ago, during a time known as Snowball Earth. This...Read more


Windows to the Universe, a project of the National Earth Science Teachers Association, is sponsored in part is sponsored in part through grants from federal agencies (NASA and NOAA), and partnerships with affiliated organizations, including the American Geophysical Union, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Earth System Information Partnership, the American Meteorological Society, the National Center for Science Education, and TERC. The American Geophysical Union and the American Geosciences Institute are Windows to the Universe Founding Partners. NESTA welcomes new Institutional Affiliates in support of our ongoing programs, as well as collaborations on new projects. Contact NESTA for more information. NASA ESIP NCSE HHMI AGU AGI AMS NOAA