Ao-tahi

The first light, the sacred star — one of the stars who guided the priests and chiefs in their discussions and undertakings. Ao-tahi (Canopus) was a child of Puanga (Rigel); his mother's name was Taku-rua (Sirius).

The following are four versions of names for the star Canopus:

  1. Ao-tahi: Ao, cloud, dawn, day; tahi, one.
  2. Au-tahi: Au, stream, current, ripple; tahi, one.
  3. A-tu-tahi: A, is; tu, stand; tahi, one.
  4. Tu-tahi: Tu, stand; tahi, one.

Aotahi he whetu tapu, he ariki aia no nga whetu o te tau, and, Tera Atutahi ka mahuta i te pae.

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References

Sources

  • Davies, C. O. B. (1855). Maori Momentos. A Series of Addresses by the Native People to Sir George Grey. Auckland: Williamson & Wilson, p. 200.
  • Tregear, Edward. (1891). Maori-Polynesian Comparative Dictionary. Wellington: Government Printer, pp. 15, 31.
  • White, John. (1887). Ancient History of the Maori. 6 vols. Wellington: G. Didsbury, Government Printer, pp. 1:15, 45, 52.