Atanua
Encyclopedia
Atanua in Polynesian mythology
(specifically: Marquesas Islands
). is the goddess of the dawn and wife of Atea
(Atea and Atanua emerged from Tanaoa, Atea first, who then made space for Atanua). Their son is the first man, Tu-Mea. She created the seas after having a miscarriage
and filling the ocean
s with her amniotic fluid
.
Polynesian mythology
Polynesian mythology is the oral traditions of the people of Polynesia, a grouping of Central and South Pacific Ocean island archipelagos in the Polynesian triangle together with the scattered cultures known as the Polynesian outliers...
(specifically: Marquesas Islands
Marquesas Islands
The Marquesas Islands enana and Te Fenua `Enata , both meaning "The Land of Men") are a group of volcanic islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the southern Pacific Ocean. The Marquesas are located at 9° 00S, 139° 30W...
). is the goddess of the dawn and wife of Atea
Atea
-Atea :In the mythology of the Marquesas Islands, Atea is the giver of light. In one legend Atea and Tane are brothers, the sons of Toho. Another tradition relates that Atea evolved himself, and then brought forth Ono...
(Atea and Atanua emerged from Tanaoa, Atea first, who then made space for Atanua). Their son is the first man, Tu-Mea. She created the seas after having a miscarriage
Miscarriage
Miscarriage or spontaneous abortion is the spontaneous end of a pregnancy at a stage where the embryo or fetus is incapable of surviving independently, generally defined in humans at prior to 20 weeks of gestation...
and filling the ocean
Ocean
An ocean is a major body of saline water, and a principal component of the hydrosphere. Approximately 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by ocean, a continuous body of water that is customarily divided into several principal oceans and smaller seas.More than half of this area is over 3,000...
s with her amniotic fluid
Amniotic fluid
Amniotic fluid or liquor amnii is the nourishing and protecting liquid contained by the amniotic sac of a pregnant woman.- Development of amniotic fluid :...
.