Tiare Tahiti – The Flower of the Gods
In the highest realms of the Polynesian heavens, Atea, the god of space and time, and Tāne, the god of beauty, came together to create a flower unlike any other.
Its pure white petals radiated celestial light, and its fragrance carried the whispers of the divine.
But such beauty was impossible to ignore. The gods of the Tenth Heaven became enchanted by the flower, their admiration turning to rivalry as they fought over its possession.
Hearing of this, Ta’aroa, the Supreme Creator, summoned Atea and Tāne.
“Show me this creation that has caused such desire and discord among the gods,” he commanded.
Atea presented the flower, and at the sight of it, Ta’aroa was overcome with awe.
“You are the most exquisite of all my creations,” he proclaimed.
Recognizing its power, he bestowed his blessing: “Among all my works, you shall reign as queen.“
Yet, such perfection was not meant to remain confined to the heavens. Ta’aroa instructed Atea and Tāne to take the flower beyond the celestial realms—to where life was about to begin.
Upon their journey, Atea created the stars, the moon, and the constellations, calling this sacred space Tumu, the origin of all beginnings. Beneath this celestial dance, forests sprouted, waters flowed, and life awakened on Earth.
To ensure the flower’s survival, Atea entrusted it to Mihia-i-te-tai, the Queen of the Mermaids, who nurtured it in the hidden depths of the ocean. She agreed to be the guardian and mother of the divine gift, and in return, Atea named it Te Aho Purotu, meaning “the breath of beauty.”
After many moons had passed, the flower blossomed. Knowing it was time to release it into the world, Atea proclaimed:
“Today, this creation has become a plant, but the spirit of the gods will remain within it. The first four buds shall belong to the gods, and the remaining six flowers shall be gifted to humankind.”
And so it was.
Finally, as he placed the flower into the sacred lands of Polynesia, Atea declared:
“Now that it is rooted in the earth, it shall no longer be called Te Aho Purotu. From this moment forward, it shall be known as Te Tiare a te Nunaa Ma’ohi—the flower of the Polynesian people.”
To this day, the Tiare Tahiti remains a cherished symbol of Polynesian culture—a divine gift carrying the essence of the gods, the purity of the heavens, and the spirit of the islands. Its intoxicating fragrance continues to weave stories of love and harmony, a timeless reminder of the bond between earth, ocean, and sky.
Inspired by the accounts of Charles Teriiteanuanua Manutahi
