Tāne Atua
/ˈtaː.nɛ ˈa.tʉ.a/noun
A Māori expression referring to Tāne, the atua (deity or supernatural being) associated with forests, birds, and the separation of earth and sky.
Did you know?In Māori cosmology, Tāne separated Ranginui, the Sky Father, from Papatūānuku, the Earth Mother, allowing light to enter the world.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Polynesian
Proto-Polynesian
*taʔane
“Male person, husband, or man; the source of Māori tāne”
Proto-Polynesian
Proto-Polynesian
*a-tua
“A supernatural being, god, ancestor, or spirit; the source of Māori atua”
Pre-European Māori
Māori
Tāne
“A major atua associated with forests, birds, and the creation of humanity”
Pre-European Māori
Māori
atua
“God, deity, supernatural being, or powerful ancestral spirit”
Modern Māori
Māori
Tāne atua
“Tāne the deity; a descriptive expression identifying Tāne as an atua”