Hiiaka

Hiā€™iaka is best known as volcano goddess PelĆ©'s little sister but she is a powerful goddess in her own right. Hiā€™iaka is a brilliant magician capable of detecting and deflecting virtually all magical tricks, surprises, and dangers. She is a benevolent spirit who helps people, offering warnings in times of danger. Devotees seek her protection against all forms of harm. Hiā€™iaka is a healer and botanist with such profound knowledge of plants that she was allegedly able to use them to return the dead to life. She is invoked for miracle cures.

Hiā€™iaka, daughter of Haumea and Kane, was conceived in Polynesia. PelĆ© transported her to Hawaii, carrying Hiā€™iaka carefully in the form of an egg. Her full name is Hi iaka-i-ka-poli-o-Pele, ā€œHiā€™iaka Cradled in PelĆ©'s Bosom.ā€ Hiā€™iaka was PelĆ©'s favourite sister. (An alternative myth suggests that Hiā€™iaka is really PelĆ©'s secret child.)

PelĆ© treated Hiā€™iaka as her most trusted servant, but eventually Hiā€™iaka asserted her independence. Hiā€™iaka is the presiding goddess of the Hawaiian Islands and among the spirits presiding over hula.

ORIGIN:

Polynesia

MANIFESTATION:

A beautiful, graceful dancer

COLOUR:

Red

Sacred plants:

ā€˜Ohiā€™a lehua tree (Metrosideros macropus); palaā€™a or lace fern (Sphenomeria chinensis)

SEE ALSO:

  • Haumea
  • Kane
  • Kapo
  • Laka
  • PelĆ©

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses– Written by Judika Illes Copyright Ā© 2009 by Judika Illes.