We
have established a probable connection
between the standard tara glyph
(with a prominent tail) and winter
solstice. In Tahua there are two
glyphs of this kind, Ab7-37 and Ab8-69,
the first of which is among the winter
solstice glyphs:
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Ab7-33 |
Ab7-34 |
Ab7-35 |
Ab7-36 |
Ab7-37 |
Ab7-38 |
Ab7-39 |
Ab8-69 is located even further towards
the end of side b (which occurs at
Ab8-84), having a position 26 glyphs
ahead of the 'navel' (pito):
 |
 |
25 |
 |
14 |
 |
Ab8-42 |
Ab8-43 |
Ab8-69 |
Ab8-84 |
42 = 26 + 16 |
26 |
16 |
Ab8-69 is drawn identical with Ab7-37,
i.e.
the meaning must be identical too.
The 'navel of the island' (te pito o
te henua, 'centre of the world')
must be on the western coast. The 29th
kuhane station (alluding to the
29th black night of the moon) she named
'Te Pito O Te Kainga A Hau Maka O
Hiva' (possibly indicating that the
entire island lay in darkness and that
therefore no further geographical
location could be pinpointed). |