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3. To be born from the topknot is to be highly born, at the other end compared to the place of lowly Mercury at the bottom of it all. The father of Maui is in the sky (ki te rangi), and we recognize him as 'noon' Sun (Tama Nui te Ra).

There are 4 quarters ('sons of Sun') in a year. If we count them as each 90 days, then there will be 5 days missing, a number suitable for the birth of an extra 'son', the one who will bring fire into the sky of next year. Other myths about Maui confirm he certainly is a 'fire' person.

Ui means to look at or to perceive and ma-ui could mean 'with perception', a name suitable for this marvellous but mischieveous person.

One of the Polynesian names for Mercury - another not so reliable person - is Hiro:

Hawaiian Islands

Society Islands

Tuamotus

New Zealand

Pukapuka

Ukali or Ukali-alii 'Following-the-chief' (i.e. the Sun)

Kawela 'Radiant'

Ta'ero or Ta'ero-arii 'Royal-inebriate' (referring to the eccentric and undignified behavior of the planet as it zigzags from one side of the Sun to the other)

Fatu-ngarue 'Weave-to-and-fro' Fatu-nga-rue 'Lord of the Earthquake'

Whiro 'Steals-off-and-hides'; also the universal name for the 'dark of the Moon' or the first day of the lunar month; also the deity of sneak thieves and rascals.

Te Mata-pili-loa-ki-te-la 'Star-very-close-to-the-Sun'

The Tuamotuan names for Mercury, Fatu-ngarue ('Weave-to-and-fro') and Fatu-nga-rue ('Lord of the Earthquake'), are two views of the same characteristic: Instability.

In the Society Islands they regarded Mercury as showing the undignified behavior of some-body close to the Sun. Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun, it is difficult to observe and its orbit appears to be without any order whatsoever. Like a thief the planet hides and sneaks around. Its strange orbit is tangled like sea-weed or intestines:

(Ref. Hamlet's Mill)

Mercury 'rules' the first night of the month, when there is still no light to be seen on the face of Moon. Also Sun is born at the darkest of times, but his path goes on the front side, not on the back side where Mercury moves.