Also known as: Hina-i-ka-malama (Hawaiian), Sina (Samoan), Hine (Maori form)
moon
tapa cloth
women's work
beauty
fertility
The goddess of the moon and women's arts, particularly the making of tapa cloth. Hina appears in many forms across Polynesia, sometimes as the mother of Maui, sometimes as a goddess who fled to the moon.
Hina is one of the most widely distributed goddess figures in Polynesian mythology, appearing in virtually every island group though with different specific stories. She represents femininity, the moon, and the domestic arts that sustain community life.
Many Hinas
The name 'Hina' appears attached to many different goddess figures across Polynesia, sometimes clearly the same figure, sometimes distinct:
Hina-i-ka-malama (Hawaiian): The woman in the moon, visible as the dark patches. She fled to the moon to escape the demands of earthly life.
Hina-uri/Hinauri (Maori): A beautiful woman whose husband was killed, leading to complex cycles of revenge.
Hina-te-iwaiwa: A goddess of women's crafts and childbirth.
Taranga: Maui's mother, sometimes identified with Hina.
The Tapa Maker
In many traditions, Hina is the original tapa maker, having invented the art of beating bark into cloth. The rhythmic sound of the tapa beater is associated with her, and women traditionally did this work by moonlight - Hina's light. In Hawaiian tradition, she can be seen in the moon, still beating her tapa.
Flight to the Moon
Several traditions tell of Hina fleeing to the moon. In some versions, she escapes an abusive husband. In others, she simply seeks peace from the endless demands of earthly life. She tried first to live in the sun but found it too hot; the cool moon became her eternal home.
Mother of Heroes
Hina is often the mother of great heroes. As Taranga, she is Maui's mother who threw him into the sea. In other traditions, she is the mother of various demigods and chiefs, connecting the mortal and divine lines.
Origin Story
Hina's origins vary by tradition. In some stories she was always a goddess; in others, she was a mortal woman who achieved divine status. Most commonly, she was a beautiful woman who fled to the moon to escape earthly troubles, where she can still be seen beating tapa cloth.
