Skip to main content

Story: Ranginui – the sky

‘Papa and Wakea’

Image
‘Papa and Wakea’

In Hawaiian tradition Wakea, the sky father, married Papa, whom he formed into Papahanaumoku, the earth mother. This depiction of the myth was painted by Solomon Enos, an indigenous Hawaiian artist.

Using this item

Private collection

by Solomon Enos

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page

Rāwiri Taonui, Ranginui – the sky – Polynesian myths, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/5176/papa-and-wakea (accessed 24 June 2026).

Story by Rāwiri Taonui, published 2 March 2009.

Comments

Tay Perry
21 November 2023
Polynesian Creation Mythology exists from Easter Island (Rapa Nui) to Hawaii to New Zealand (Aotearoa). The deities are the same and the names vary according to location