Kanaloa

ALSO KNOWN AS:

Tangaroa

ORIGIN:

Polynesia

CLASSIFICATION:

Akua

Kanaloa is the spirit of the sea. Kings of the sea are important in all pantheons but especially so in Polynesia, which means “Many Islands” and consists of groupings of islands, many quite isolated, spread over vast expanses of the southern and central Pacific Ocean. Kanaloa is his Hawaiian name; Tanga roa is the Maori pronunciation. Kanaloa is venerated throughout Polynesia and is always associated with the sea but may otherwise manifest differently in different locations.

In Tahiti, he is the supreme creator and deity. Kanaloa and Kane traveled together from Tahiti to Hawaii bringing food plants so that the Hawaiianswould survive. As Lord of the Sea, Kanaloa is a spirit of abundance, fertility and procreation. He is a master healer and magician who can transmit sacred and secret knowledge.

FAVOURED PEOPLE:

Those who fish; those who make their living from the sea (presumably without harming his domain); carpenters; house builders

ICONOGRAPHY:

Tiki carvings representing Kanaloa are available

Spirit ally: In Hawaii, Kane and Kanaloa are perceived as partners; in Fiji, Tane and Tangaroa may have a contentious, competitive relationship

Sacred animal:

Specifically octopus and squid but also sea creatures in general.

Direction:

West

Sacred site:

The Iao Needle, the sacred mountain peak, now in Iao Valley State Park, Maui, Hawaii embodies Kanaloa’s generative, procreative energy

SEE ALSO:

Aukua; Kane

SOURCE:

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