Home > Myths and Legends of the World > Oro

In Polynesian mythology Oro is the war god of the Pacific island of Tahiti. Oro enjoys fighting and demands human sacrifices during wartime. However, in peacetime he becomes a god of peace and is worshiped as Oro-i-te-tea-moe ("Oro of the spear laid down").

According to legend, Oro was the son of Hina-tu-a-uta and the creator god Ta'aroa. When Oro decided to marry, he created a rainbow between the heavens and the earth and traveled across it to a place known as the Red-ridged Mountain. There he met Vairaumati, the daughter of Ta'ata, the first man. Vai-raumati became Oro's wife and bore him a son, Hoa-tabu-i-te-ra'i, who became a great ruler. Oro also had three daughters: Toi-mata, Ai-tupuai, and Mahu-fatu-rau.

Oro created and serves as patronspecial guardian, protector, or supporter of a Tahitian cultgroup...