Ku

Ku is a warrior spirit; Lord of War as well as a spirit of the abundance of the sea. The essence of male generative power; he is a spirit of testosterone. In Hawaiian cosmology, Ku is the essence of masculinity, as Hina epitomizes feminine energy. Ku is among the four major Hawaiian deities alongside Kane, Kanaloa and Lono but was mainly venerated, at least in his warrior form, by the elite. Formal ceremonies were reserved for the nobility and priesthood and were performed under severe taboos. The practice of human sacrifice seems to have been introduced to Hawaii largely by Kuā€™s priesthood. King Kamehameha worshipped Ku as Lord of War in his eventually successful efforts to unite the Hawaiian Islands under his rule.

Ku has many paths and aspects ranging from brutal and bloodthirsty to nurturing and kind. He is the patron of war, fishing, forests and certain types of agriculture and sorcery.

Kuā€™s name means ā€œto strikeā€ or ā€œto stand.ā€ He is a versatile, many faceted spirit with concerns other than war. He was also the patron of Hawaiiā€™s master canoe builders and woodworkers, considered a sacred occupation. Ku dwells in deep places: the depths of the forest and the sea.

ALSO KNOWN AS:

Tu

ORIGIN:

Polynesia

Manifestations:

Ku can manifest in any form he likes; he is a master shape-shifter. However, common forms include man, caterpillar and cucumber

ICONOGRAPHY:

Fierce carved wood tiki statues

BOTANICALS:

Breadfruit; coconut; cucumber; ā€˜Ohiā€™a lehua tree (Metrosideros collina; M. macropus): images of Ku were traditionally carved from this wood

COLOUR:

Red

Direction:

East

Sacred animal:

Pig; eel

Bird:

Hawk

PLANET:

The rising sun

Time:

The first, second and third days of each month

SEE ALSO:

  • Akua
  • Haumea
  • Hina
  • Kanaloa
  • Kane
  • Kihawahine
  • Kukauakahi
  • Kuā€™ulakai
  • Lono

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.

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