He is also known as Tini Rau, Kinilau, Sinilau and Tinilau.
You are here:
- » Home
- » Areas
- » Mythology
- » Oceania
- » Polynesian mythology
- » Tinirau
Tinirau
The Polynesian god of the ocean and the fish, also known as "the swallower". He is a double-natured god who can appear as a terrifying fish (the Shark-God), with its mouth wide open and ready to devour its prey, or as a handsome young man. In the latter appearance, his right side is occasionally human and the left side piscine. He has a liaison with (or is married to) Hina-Keha, the Moon-goddess. She always supplies him and his people with plenty of fish. Hina-Uri, Maui's sister, fell in love with him and pursued him in the deep sees.