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Pele (deity)

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Pele is a central deity in Hawaiian mythology. She is the goddess of volcanoes and fire. Many traditions hold that she is the creator of the Hawaiian Islands. Because of her importance, people often use respectful titles like "Madame Pele" or "Tūtū Pele." She is also known as the goddess of hula. This connection exists because her sister, Hiiaka, is believed to be the first person to dance hula. Many hula dances and chants are dedicated to Pele and her family. These performances often represent her intense personality and the movement of volcanoes.

Peleshair USGS
Peleshair USGS

In many stories, Pele's lineage connects her to the very beginning of the world. She is often described as the daughter of the female spirit Haumea. Haumea is a descendant of Papa, the Earth Mother, and Wakea, the Sky Father. These beings are considered supreme ancestors. Pele has many siblings who represent different natural forces. Some siblings are deities of wind, rain, or cloud forms. Others represent ocean waves or fire. Her sister Nāmaka is a sea goddess. Her most famous sister is Hiiakaikapoliopele, often called Hiiaka.

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

Pele is known for a very complex personality. Legends describe her as powerful and passionate. However, she is also described as jealous and capricious. These traits appear in many traditional stories. One legend says Pele traveled from Tahiti to Hawaiʻi in a canoe named Honua-i-a-kea. During this journey, she tried to create fires on different islands. Her sister Nāmaka chased her to stop these fires. In one version of this conflict, the two sisters fought and Pele was killed. While her body was destroyed, her spirit survived.

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

Many Hawaiians believe Pele lives in a specific location. Her home is thought to be the Halemaʻumaʻu fire pit. This pit is located at the summit caldera of Kīlauea. Kīlauea is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth. It is located on the island of Hawaii. Some believe Pele governs Kīlauea and controls its lava flows. People say her body is the lava and steam that comes from the volcano. She is also said to be able to change her form. She might appear as a beautiful young woman, an old woman, or even a white dog.

There are several different versions of Pele's history. In one account, Pele was banished from her home in the land of Kuaihelani. She traveled south in a canoe with her siblings. She used a divining rod named Pa‘oa to find a new home. Another version describes her as a rival to Poliʻahu, the goddess of snow. Poliʻahu resides on Mauna Kea, while Pele is associated with the southern parts of the island. One myth describes a battle where Pele threw fire at the snow goddess. The battle ended with the snow mantle chilling and hardening the lava.

Kapiolani defying Pele
Kapiolani defying Pele

Another story involves Pele's relationship with her sister Hiiaka and a chief named Lohiʻau. In this legend, Pele became jealous of the friendship between Hiiaka and a girl named Hōpoe. Pele sent a lava flow that covered Hōpoe in stone. Later, Pele also covered Lohiʻau with lava because of her anger. Eventually, Pele felt apologetic and brought Lohiʻau back to life. She allowed him to choose between the two women. In the end, Lohiʻau chose Hiiaka, and Pele gave them her blessing. These stories show how the deities' emotions are linked to the landscape.

Belief in Pele has continued into modern times. Even after the old religion was officially abolished in 1819, her influence remained. In 1824, a High Chiefess named Kapiolani descended into the Halemaʻumaʻu crater. Instead of a traditional prayer, she recited a Christian prayer. She survived the descent, which was a notable event in history.

Kapiolani defying Pele
Kapiolani defying Pele

Today, there is also an urban legend called "Pele's Curse." It suggests that anyone who removes items from her island will face her wrath. Every year, many tourists mail items back to the National Park Service to ask for forgiveness. This tradition helps keep the legends of the goddess alive in the modern world.

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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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