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Pele (deity)

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Pele is a famous figure in Hawaiian mythology. She is the goddess of fire and volcanoes. Many people believe she created the Hawaiian Islands. Some call her "Madame Pele" or "Tūtū Pele" to show respect.

Halema'uma'u Crater at Night
Halema'uma'u Crater at Night

She is also known as the goddess of hula. This is because her sister, Hiiaka, is believed to be the first person to dance hula. Many dances are made to show Pele's intense personality.

Peleshair USGS
Peleshair USGS

Legends tell us how Pele came to be. Some stories say she was born from a female spirit named Haumea. Haumea was a descendant of Papa, the Earth Mother, and Wakea, the Sky Father. Pele has many siblings who rule different things. Some are gods of wind, rain, or ocean waves. One sister is Nāmaka, a sea goddess. Another famous sister is Hiiakaikapoliopele. Pele is often described as having a very strong and sometimes jealous personality.

Many people believe Pele lives in a place called Halemaʻumaʻu. This is a fire pit at the top of Kīlauea. Kīlauea is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth. It is located on the island of Hawaii.

Kapiolani defying Pele
Kapiolani defying Pele

Some believe Pele controls the lava flows there. Stories say her spirit lives in the crater. It is also said that her body is the lava and steam. She can even change her shape. She might appear as a beautiful young woman or an old woman. She might even look like a small white dog.

There are many different stories about Pele's life. One legend says she traveled from Tahiti in a canoe named Honua-i-a-kea. During this trip, she fought her sister Nāmaka. In another version, Pele was driven away from her home. She used a divining rod named Pa‘oa to find a new home. Some stories describe her as a rival to Poliʻahu, the goddess of snow. These stories show how Pele's fire and the cold snow interact. These tales help explain the different parts of the islands.

Belief in Pele is still very important today. Even after old traditions changed, her influence remained. For example, the ōhelo plant is considered sacred to her. In 1824, a High Chiefess named Kapiolani visited the volcano. She recited a Christian prayer instead of a traditional one.

Peleshair USGS
Peleshair USGS

Some people also tell stories of "Pele's Curse." This legend says people should not take items from her island. Every year, tourists mail items back to the National Park Service to ask for forgiveness. These stories keep her memory alive in modern times.

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🖼️ Images & Media (3)
File:Halema'uma'u Crater at Night.jpg
Halema'uma'u Crater at Night.jpg
File:Kapiolani defying Pele.jpg
Kapiolani defying Pele.jpg
File:Peleshair USGS.jpg
Peleshair USGS.jpg
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