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“Myth Analysis Paper- The Creation Cycle”
The creation cycle is a myth that explores the creation of the universe, gods, human
beings and New Zealand. The sky father and the earth mother had a protective embrace. The
earth and sky were one. Within this protective embrace, offspring’s were produce. The children
lived between the sky father and the earth mother. Darkness surrounded the children and they
were tired of living in between their sky father and earth mother. Eventually, a plan was made to
separate the sky father and the earth mother. Out of all of the six sons, Tane was the only son
who succeeds in the separation of the sky father and the earth mother. “Tane used his strength
and pressure to slowly push his parent’s apart” (Rosenberg 353). The sky father was push above
and the earth mother was push below. The father and god of wind storms, Tawhiri was hurt by
his brother’s actions. Tawhiri adorned the dark place, but he also felt that the new world would
have no place for him. Tawhiri respected the bond between his sky father and his earth mother.
Once all of the children were set free from the dark place, the universe was created within a war.
“Tawhiri joined his sky father and their partnership made heavy winds and storms”
(Rosenberg 353). I would say that the heavy winds and storms are symbolic to the anger that
Tawhiri feels. In my opinion, I would say that the greater meaning of this myth is that the
universe was unintentionally created by betrayal and jealousy. The sky and the earth had a tight
bond that was force apart. The separation between the sky father and the earth mother was an
ultimate betrayal. Once the children were freed, Tawhiri became jealous and he rages a war
towards his brothers. “Tawhiri felt jealousy because he felt that his power was only good for the
darkness and not the lovely bright world that he was force to live within” (Rosenberg 353).
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There are many interesting characters within this myth. The sky father (Rangi) and the
earth mother (Papa) are two gods of the Maori people. The main characters that made the
universe come together are- Rango is the god of plants. Tangaoa is the god of the sea. Haumia
is the god of wild plants. Tu is the god of war and Tane is the god of the forest. Tawhiri is the
brother who did not want to separate his father and mother (Rosenberg 352). Tawhiri is the god
of storms. All of these main characters bring forward a classical story about how the universe
was created.
I definitely see that there are basic human issues addressed within this myth. The brothers
wanted to be free. They were tired of being trap in a dark world. Many humans may feel trap
mentally and physically within life. The brothers just wanted to experience the light on their
own. Sky father and earth mother shielded the children from the light. Many humans have felt
shielded from life experiences. Therefore they have the urge to venture out on their own, even if
it is against their parents will. Tawhiri did not feel like he was good enough for the light. He was
angry and he uses his storms to do harm. I find this so interesting because many humans have
low self-esteem and they may feel like they are not good enough for certain aspects in life. But in
reality the universe shows us that humans are flawed and insecurities are normal aspects of life.
The natural force that this myth is trying to exlain is how the universe became what it is
today. This myth dug deep into a mystical world of love and deceit. The earth and the sky were
basically one. Tane wanted to separate his mother and father. Tane used his pressure to force
father sky up and earth mother below. The sky was force to be above our heads and the earth was
force below our feet. Tawhiri is the god of storms. Storms were officially created because
Tawhiri was mad that his brother separated his parents. “The sky father and Tawhiri work
together to create many winds and storms” (Rosenberg 353). Together they united as one to
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cause turmoil on earth. When the children separated they made life on earth. All of the children
represent an aspect of nature. The creation of the earth around us was a war within nature.
This myth relates to other creation myths because it tells a symbolic story about how the
universe came about. It starts out with “in the beginning” like the bible does. It tells a mystical
story about the sky and the earth and their off springs. When Rango was separated from his love
the earth mother papa, Rango cried heavy tears and those tears flooded the earth. This reminds
me of the myth about Noah’s ark and the great flood. I have always wondered why many
creation myths have a flood story involved.
In conclusion, this myth is very outstanding. I enjoyed the war between the six brothers.
Each of these characters plays a significance role in the creation of the universe. This myth is
very alluring and vivid.
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Works Cited
Rosenberg, Donna. 1999. World Mythology: An Anthology of the Great Myths and Epics, Third
Ed. Madison, WI: NTC Contemporary Publishing Company. ISBN – 0-8442-5966-7