PJ&L Publishing, Young and New Adult Fantasy, Paranormal, and Science Fiction Authors
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Books
    • NA Under Patricia Josephine >
      • Abducted Life
      • Path of Angels
      • Tempting Friendship
      • Mistakes of the Past
      • Influenced
    • YA Under Patricia Lynne >
      • Being Human
      • Snapshots
      • Leaves of Fall
      • A Quick Tale Series
  • About
  • Contact/Media Kit
  • Newsletter

Taniwha: a manifestation of the imagination or a real monster of New Zealand?

10/7/2019

10 Comments

 
Picture
Today for Monster Monday, we travel around the world to New Zealand to dive into the mythical Taniwha. Thanks to Kate Larkindale for telling me about this monster.

The Taniwha is a creature of Māori mythology. They are beings that live in deep pools in rivers, dark caves, or in the sea, especially in places with dangerous currents or deceptive breakers. They may be considered highly respected kaitiaki (protective guardians) of people and places, or in some traditions as dangerous, predatory beings, which for example would kidnap women to have as wives.

What a Taniwha looks like depends on where you see it. Out in open waters, it will appear as a whale or giant shark. When in inland waters, like rivers or streams, it may look more like a gecko or tuatara. No matter where you see it, it will be gigantic. There have even been reports of seeing the Taniwha as a floating log, which behaves in a disconcerting way. I'm curious to what people witnessed.

There are many legends about the Taniwha. In one, "The Taniwha of Kaipara", three sisters went out to pick berries. One of the sisters was particularly beautiful. The Taniwha caused havoc on their walk back and the sisters fled. The Taniwha caught the sisters one by one, trying to capture the beautiful one. On succeeding, he then took her back to his cave. Many years passed and the woman bore the Taniwha six sons, with three like their father and three fully human. She educated all her sons and in particular taught her human sons the art of war, helping them to fashion and use weapons. The human sons then killed their three taniwha brothers, and eventually their father. They all went back to their homes. (source: Reed A,W.,`Reed book of Māori mythology`(2004), pp.285-286)

In more recent times, the Taniwha spirits being referenced in both court cases and in various legal negotiations. Beliefs in the existence of Taniwha have a potential for controversy where they have been used to block or modify development and infrastructure schemes, such as the case where a major highway was rerouted to protect the area the Taniwha resided on.

What do you think of this mythical monster? How would you react if you saw a log acting in an unusual fashion? What monster should I cover next?
Picture

If you enjoyed this post and want exclusive content, consider becoming a member of my community on KO-FI or PATREON!



10 Comments
Lydia link
10/7/2019 10:16:32 am

I'd never heard of this monster before, but it does sound like a scary one. Good post.

Reply
Patricia Josephine
10/30/2019 05:58:22 pm

Thanks, Lydia!

Reply
Susan M Gourley link
10/7/2019 12:46:31 pm

Rerouted a highway? Wow, that's some strong belief. Sounds like the kidnapped woman was patient enough to outwit the monster.

Reply
Patricia Josephine
10/30/2019 05:58:43 pm

I know. That's what I was thinking on both of those.

Reply
Liz A. link
10/7/2019 03:05:37 pm

A log behaving in a weird fashion? I think that would freak me out. Interesting critter. I had never heard of it before.

Reply
Patricia Josephine
10/30/2019 05:59:00 pm

I know, right! LOL

Reply
Kate link
10/8/2019 10:19:02 am

Thanks for featuring one of my country's monsters!

Reply
Patricia Josephine
10/30/2019 05:59:15 pm

Anytime. If you know of more, let me know.

Reply
Lee Lowery link
10/10/2019 11:22:09 am

Change a few names and this could be a story right out of the Bible! As for encountering a log "acting strangely"? Best to give it wide berth, whether one believes in supernatural beings or not.

Reply
Patricia Josephine
10/30/2019 05:59:38 pm

Yeah, I might stay away from this creature.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

      Do you want a free book?

      Picture
      Join my monthly newsletter to get my latest book news as well as a FREE copy of Moonlit Tales!
    Subscribe Me!

    Follow Me

    Join me on Patreon
    Join me on Ko-Fi
    Follow me on Blogloving
    Subscribe to my youtube channel
    Like me on Facebook
    Follow Patricia's blog feed.

    Categories

    All
    13 Facts
    A To Z Challenge
    Fantasy Books
    Guest Post
    Interstitial Cystitis
    IWSG
    Random Thoughts
    Science Fiction Books
    Writing

    Blog Roll

    ​* Marie Landry
    * IWSG
    * A to Z Challenge
    * Alex J. Cavanaugh
    * Larry Kollar
    * C. Lee McKenzie
    * A Book Lover's Playlist
    * Cherie Reich
    * M. Pax
    * MJ FiField
    * Melissa Barker-Simpson
    ​* Christine Rains
    * Heather M. Gardner
    * George McNeese
    * Lexa Cain
    ​​* L.G Keltner
    * Sarah Foster
    * Chrys Fey
    * Kate Larkindale
    * Warrior Muse
    * Lee Lowery
    * Elizabeth Seckman
    * Heather M. Gardner
    *Jemima Pett
    * My Random Musings
    * C.D. Gallant-King
    * J.H. Moncrieff
    ​* Nick Wilford
    * Liana K (Youtube)
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.