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Toiariki

RUAUMOKO (Prints)

Regular price $120.00 NZD
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RUAUMOKO

is believed to cause volcanoes and earthquakes.

In Māori mythology, Rūaumoko (also known as Rūamoko) is the god of earthquakes, volcanoes and seasons. He is the youngest son of Ranginui (the Sky father) and Papatūānuku (the Earth mother) (commonly called Rangi and Papa).

Interestingly, if we deconstruct the word, the definition of ‘rū’ is shake, one translation of ‘au’ is smoke or currents and ‘moko’ (Maori Tattoo origins) At the time of the separation of Earth Mother (Papa) and Sky Fathers separation by Tane, Papa was turned, Rūaumoko was at his mother’s breast or some say the unborn child still in her womb, so he was carried to the underworld, his movements below the earth causing the tremor of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Another variation has Rūaumoko yet to be born. It is his twists, turns and attempts to escape from inside Papa’s womb that causes the earths rumblings.

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