The ua sign could refer to the waves of the sea. When a great such wave reaches land it is breaking up, becomes a breaker (tai hati) which thunders ashore amidst a white foam of bubbles. The sudden thunder and light is similar to what 'father light' (Jupiter) can accomplish in the sky. Man cannot go to the thunder in the sky, that is for 'birds' only. But he can play among the breakers, he can go riding the waves, go surfing. Hatinga Te Kohe, Roto Iri Are, and Ranganuku are names which come to mind. The breaking of the bamboo, the seawead, and the fish swarming on the surface of the sea. Only the breaking of the bamboo, however, is accomplished by a loud noise. The white foam is quite contrary to the dark deap sea, a magical change takes place: "... One day Hina i Vainoi said to her husband, 'Do my hair'. While Kae whas picking out the lice he said, 'Your hair is turning grey.' She answered, 'Never mind, when that happens I know how to make myself like a young thing again.' Then she said to her husband, 'Let me do yours', and on Kae's head she saw many grey hairs. Said Hina, 'You are growing old, husband. Tomorrow, we-two will go out surf-riding.' In the morning they went to the beach. Kae said, 'You go first.' Said Hina, 'No, you go first, my husband; then I can see how you do it.' After Kae had come in on three waves he looked the same as he was before, he had not changed at all. Then Hina rode. After riding in on three waves she came out looking as fresh as a shrimp that has just been shelled. 'See, husband! Do I look the same?' Said Kae amazed, 'No, no, my wife.' Then Kae was much ashamed, for it was Hina who had youth. After this Hina became pregnant ..." (From 'Kae and the Whale' , a myth from Marquesas and adapted by Alpers in his Legends of the South Seas.) Hina (the Moon) and Venus (as Aphrodite) will always emerge rejuvenated from the foam of the sea. But Sun (and Man) can reach immortality only with help from a female - they will die and return by being born again. Significantly Hina became pregnant with the child of Kae. And we should not miss the point that there are 3 waves to surf on.
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