Tawhirimatea
Also known as: Tawhiri
Mythological Narrative
The Maori god of weather, winds, and storms. Tawhirimatea was the only one of Rangi and Papa's children to oppose their separation, and he still attacks his brothers with storms in revenge.
Scholarly Commentary & Evolution
## God of Storms
Tawhirimatea is the god of weather and storms in Maori mythology, one of the sons of Rangi and Papa. Unlike his brothers, he did not support the separation of their parents and has waged war against them ever since, his fury manifesting in the storms that batter the earth.
### The Loyal Son
When the children of Rangi and Papa debated how to escape their dark prison, Tawhirimatea alone argued against separating their parents. He loved them as they were and could not bear the thought of their grief. When Tane succeeded in pushing them apart, Tawhirimatea ascended with his father Rangi to the sky.
### War on His Brothers
From the sky, Tawhirimatea launched a devastating attack on his brothers who had supported the separation. He sent his children - the winds, clouds, storms, and hurricanes - against them. Tangaroa's fish fled to the depths of the sea. Rongo and Haumia hid within Papa's body. Tane's trees were torn and battered. Only Tu stood firm against the assault.
### Eternal Warfare
The conflict between Tawhirimatea and his brothers continues to this day. Every storm is Tawhirimatea attacking Tangaroa's ocean or Tane's forests. Sailors and travelers must contend with his wrath, and those caught in his fury understand the power of the god of storms.
Cross-Pantheon Parallels & Archetypes
Academic Discussion & Critique
Exchange peer-reviewed hypotheses, comparative Indo-European etymologies, and archaeological field interpretations regarding Tawhirimatea.
You Might Also Like
Zeus
King of the Olympian gods, ruler of sky and thunder. After overthrowing his father Cronus, he drew the sky when the three brothers divided the cosmos by lot.
Thor
Red-bearded strongest of the Aesir, wielder of the hammer Mjolnir, who rides a goat-drawn chariot across the sky and wages endless war on the giants.
Lei Gong
The god of thunder who punishes evildoers and hidden crimes with his thunderbolts. He appears as a fearsome creature with a bird's beak, claws, and blue skin, carrying drums that create thunder.
Fujin
God of wind and air. Depicted as a demon carrying a large bag of winds. Twin to Raijin. Controls gentle breezes and destructive typhoons.