In Māori culture, Matariki is the Pleiades star cluster and a celebration of its first rising in late June or early July. This marks the beginning of the new year in the Māori lunar calendar.
Historically, Matariki was usually celebrated for a period of days during the last quarter of the moon of the lunar month Pipiri (around June). The ceremony involved viewing the individual stars for forecasts of the year to come, mourning the deceased of the past year, and making an offering of food to replenish the stars. Some Māori use the rise of Puanga (Rigel) or other stars to mark the new year.
Celebration of Matariki declined during the 20th century, but beginning in the early 1990s it underwent a revival. Matariki was first celebrated as an official public holiday in New Zealand on 24 June 2022.
Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars known to Western astronomers as the Pleiades in the constellation Taurus. Matariki is a shortened version of Ngā mata o te ariki o Tāwhirimātea, "the eyes of the god Tāwhirimātea".[1] According to Māori tradition, Tāwhirimātea, the god of wind and weather, was enraged by the separation of heaven and earth – his parents, Ranginui and Papatūānuku.[1] Defeated in battle by his brother, Tāwhirimātea fled to the sky to live with Ranginui, but in his anger he first plucked out his eyes as a gesture of contempt towards his siblings, and flung them into the sky, where they remain, stuck to his father's chest. In Māori tradition the unpredictability of the winds is blamed on Tāwhirimātea's blindness.[2]: 20
The word Matariki is the name of both the star cluster and one of the stars within it. Other terms for the cluster as a whole include Te Tautari-nui-o-Matariki ("Matariki fixed in the heavens") and Te Huihui o Matariki ("the assembly of Matariki").
Matariki is sometimes incorrectly translated as mata riki ("little eyes") a mistake originating in the work of Elsdon Best and continued by others.
What is the significance of Matariki?
Matariki – Te Tau Hou Māori – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Twinkling in the winter sky just before dawn, Matariki (the Pleiades) signals the Māori New Year. For Māori, the appearance of Matariki heralds a time of remembrance, joy and peace. It is a time for communities to come together and celebrate.
Matariki star facts
Matariki is a star cluster, not a constellation. ...
The heliacal rise of Matariki. ...
You can see Matariki for yourself. ...
Matariki is one of the closest star clusters to Earth. ...
Matariki has many different names around the world. ...
Matariki is an official public holiday in Aotearoa New Zealand.
What are the three principles of Matariki?
The three major principles that guide Matariki are: remembrance — honouring those who have died since the last rising of Matariki. celebrating the present — gathering together with family and friends. looking to the future — looking forward to the promise of a new year.
How to celebrate Matariki at home
Remember loved ones who have passed away. ...
Enjoy a mid-winter feast with friends and whānau. ...
Write down your hopes, dreams, and aspirations for the year ahead. ...
Go out and see Matariki! ...
Hoki ki te kāinga. ...
Plan to grow a garden for your whānau. ...
Whāngai i te hautapu.
There are different stories about Matariki, but one Māori myth is that when Ranginui, the sky father, and Papatūānuku, the earth mother, were separated by their children, the god of the winds, Tāwhirimātea, became so angry that he tore out his eyes and threw them into the heavens – creating Matariki.
How do you explain Matariki to a child?
Matariki: Celebrating the joy of Maori New Year | CareforKids ...
Matariki is the Māori name of a star constellation that is visible in our night sky at a specific time of the year; it is also referred to as the seven sisters and is known internationally as Pleiades. The rise of Matariki in the winter skies above Aotearoa signifies the start of the Māori New Year.
Historically, Matariki was usually celebrated for a period of days during the last quarter of the moon of the lunar month Pipiri (around June). The ceremony involved viewing the individual stars for forecasts of the year to come, mourning the deceased of the past year, and making an offering of food to replenish the stars. Some Māori use the rise of Puanga (Rigel) or other stars to mark the new year.
Celebration of Matariki declined during the 20th century, but beginning in the early 1990s it underwent a revival. Matariki was first celebrated as an official public holiday in New Zealand on 24 June 2022.
Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars known to Western astronomers as the Pleiades in the constellation Taurus. Matariki is a shortened version of Ngā mata o te ariki o Tāwhirimātea, "the eyes of the god Tāwhirimātea".[1] According to Māori tradition, Tāwhirimātea, the god of wind and weather, was enraged by the separation of heaven and earth – his parents, Ranginui and Papatūānuku.[1] Defeated in battle by his brother, Tāwhirimātea fled to the sky to live with Ranginui, but in his anger he first plucked out his eyes as a gesture of contempt towards his siblings, and flung them into the sky, where they remain, stuck to his father's chest. In Māori tradition the unpredictability of the winds is blamed on Tāwhirimātea's blindness.[2]: 20
The word Matariki is the name of both the star cluster and one of the stars within it. Other terms for the cluster as a whole include Te Tautari-nui-o-Matariki ("Matariki fixed in the heavens") and Te Huihui o Matariki ("the assembly of Matariki").
Matariki is sometimes incorrectly translated as mata riki ("little eyes") a mistake originating in the work of Elsdon Best and continued by others.
What is the significance of Matariki?
Matariki – Te Tau Hou Māori – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Twinkling in the winter sky just before dawn, Matariki (the Pleiades) signals the Māori New Year. For Māori, the appearance of Matariki heralds a time of remembrance, joy and peace. It is a time for communities to come together and celebrate.
Matariki star facts
Matariki is a star cluster, not a constellation. ...
The heliacal rise of Matariki. ...
You can see Matariki for yourself. ...
Matariki is one of the closest star clusters to Earth. ...
Matariki has many different names around the world. ...
Matariki is an official public holiday in Aotearoa New Zealand.
What are the three principles of Matariki?
The three major principles that guide Matariki are: remembrance — honouring those who have died since the last rising of Matariki. celebrating the present — gathering together with family and friends. looking to the future — looking forward to the promise of a new year.
How to celebrate Matariki at home
Remember loved ones who have passed away. ...
Enjoy a mid-winter feast with friends and whānau. ...
Write down your hopes, dreams, and aspirations for the year ahead. ...
Go out and see Matariki! ...
Hoki ki te kāinga. ...
Plan to grow a garden for your whānau. ...
Whāngai i te hautapu.
There are different stories about Matariki, but one Māori myth is that when Ranginui, the sky father, and Papatūānuku, the earth mother, were separated by their children, the god of the winds, Tāwhirimātea, became so angry that he tore out his eyes and threw them into the heavens – creating Matariki.
How do you explain Matariki to a child?
Matariki: Celebrating the joy of Maori New Year | CareforKids ...
Matariki is the Māori name of a star constellation that is visible in our night sky at a specific time of the year; it is also referred to as the seven sisters and is known internationally as Pleiades. The rise of Matariki in the winter skies above Aotearoa signifies the start of the Māori New Year.