Atua

Common card · No. 451767

Atua (Akua in Hawaii) are the gods and spirits of the Polynesian people such as the Māori or the Hawaiians (see also Kupua). The literal meaning of the Polynesian word is "power" or "strength" and so the concept is similar to that of mana. Many of the atua that are known have originated from myths and legends of each Polynesian culture before Christianity was introduced. These days, the word atua is related to the monotheistic conception of God. However for Polynesian cultures, as opposed to having only one superior god, there are multiple atua. For Māori, there are eight main atua – excluding the parents, Ranginui (sky father) and Papatūānuku (earth mother): Tāne Mahuta – god of the forest and all forest creatures such as animals, birds and trees; Tāwhirimātea – god of wind and storms; Haumia-tiketike – god of uncultivated food and fernroot (also known as Haumia, Haumia-tikitiki, and Haumia-roa); Rongo-mā-Tāne – god of Agriculture and Peace (also known as Rongohīrea and Rongomaraeroa...

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