The Hawaiian volcano goddess Pele is honoured this month because of the recent twin eruptions of Mauna Loa (the world's largest active volcano) and its neighbouring volcano Kilauea, both located on the Big Island of Hawaii. This popular fire goddess represents the eternal cycle of destruction and creation. It is important to understand that one does not exist without the other. Destruction must always serve the greater purpose of subsequent creation and growth. Lava flow burns all in its path but, in time, cools and results in new land formation.
In this sculpture, Pele's headdress represents a red-hot lava crest emerging from a volcano. The altar cloth features a traditional Hawaiian quilting design and is offset with a colourful lei border. I got the statue from Sacred Source and brought the quilted placemat back from Maui, both obtained many years ago now.
I have another image of Pele in my home -- a framed blockprint by iconoclastic German-Hawaiian artist Dietrich Varez, which I bought in the gift shop at the summit of Maui's now extinct volcano Haleakala. It depicts Pele with her fiery hair enthusiastically stoking the volcano's lava pits.
[Photos ©Debra She Who Seeks, December 2022]
43 comments:
This is wonderful. Yes, destruction precedes creation. No art without it.
The block print is stunning.
Why Pele must be over seeing the US House right now? A good thing too. Heavens knows they need some destruction to hopefully get some fresh creation. Lovely alter Debs.
So true. Destruction and creation go hand in hand…
Love that sculpture.
You create the most magnificent altars and I love how you explain them. FFO is up I invite you to join in. Have the brightest day.
We all need a little fiery Goddess in the cold of January.
I needed this message today, a reminder that bad things don't have to be completely so.
Kilauea is not happy and is erupting once again! Just saw it on MSNBC!
Love your altars and your description of each one!
Your Pele pieces are so lovely, and I always learn something new from your Altar posts!
Well done!
I'd like a little red-hot lava headdress myself.
Love,
Janie
I always mention lava when someone tells me "their not making land anymore".
The cycle of life and death. I think modern people are so frightened of death and destruction
It’s the enemy. Without the death of the leaves in autumn there wouldn’t be nutrients put into the ground
Without those the trees wouldn’t be able to produce seeds and no seeds means no more trees. That’s the real final death
Love your alter.
I learned all about here when I was a kid and lived on Hawaii..I looked for her everywhere cause they told me she was all around..
I clicked on the link to Dietrich Varez. He seems like a very interesting fellow.
I am learning mythology on your blog posts over time. This volcano goddess is beautiful on the carvings!
I love Pele, I blogged about her a few years ago. Oh and I forgot it was the first full moon of the year. Time to turn into a wolf.
i always love your altar posts!
I always learn groovy stuff when I come to your page. Love the photos too!
Lovely. Before it's earth, it's lava.
Wow, mess with the Goddess of fire and lava at your own risk! Did the indigenous Hawaiians make sacrifices to Pele, and if so, what kind?
@ Tundra Bunny -- Insofar as I've ever read, traditional sacrifices, gifts and offerings to Pele involved flowers, veggies, plants, and pork. Human sacrifice does not appear to have been practised by indigenous Hawaiians unlike, say, the Mayans and Incas of North, Central and South America.
I've seen Kilauea.
Coffee is on and stay safe
This is a useful and inspiring altar! I love the stories that come with the altars that we celebrate. I have often wanted to see an actual volcano, just a small little one, but when i think about Pele, i am too small.
So was Pele the soccer player nicknamed for this goddess? I see that he just died at the end of December.
@ Ellen D -- No, Pelé's nickname did not come from this goddess but it's unclear where exactly it did come from or what it means. Apparently "Pelé" has no meaning in Portuguese, his native tongue.
Beautiful block print! Happy New Year a bit late :)
Its a nice philosophy to believe in, as a volcano does create new land, but much destruction precedes it. Beautiful block print.
Another Pele! An even more ferocious one by the sounds of it.
Varez's work is stunning!
Dear Ellen D - i dont really speak spanish but i try. My portuguese is even worse. To me, a pelota is a ball or spherical object that people play a game with. I always thought everybody called the famous futbol hero Pele as a riff on pelota. For reasons best known to themselves. I am almost certainly wrong about this. Cheers!
Love the print and the alter is wonderful. We had a clear sky and the moon and moon shadows on the snow were spectacular.
Your altars are always fabulous! "Destruction must always serve the greater purpose of subsequent creation and growth." Absolutely!
"eternal cycle of destruction and creation" - many cultures have recognized that cycle. The yin/yang thing. We are all star stuff that came from star explosions.
What a gorgeous sculpture.
Very honest and sublime posting
Loved how beautifully you put it every time Debra!
In the mystery of life game it is so obvious that whether creation or destruction both support each other in some way. No one can change the design I agree because Nature has eternal laws
Pele is such a powerful and primal Goddess! I love your altar; the statue is wonderful. The blockprint is fantastic, love her hair! She is there stoking Haleakala in the beginning - look how small it is.
I thought this was going to be about the soccer player
Your alters are so unique. I learn so much from you about things I never imagined before
Interesting post, and equally interesting altar.
A perfect altar, Debra! Pele is my favorite goddess. Say it isn't so: a gift shop at the summit of Haleakala? I'm distraught!
@ Fundy Blue -- YES! It's not a huge gift shop but there are some lovely souvenirs for sale. It's in the National Park Office which is right before the summit actually. It's where you also get info about Haleakala and can join horseback tours and hiking tours of the crater. That's where the public washrooms are too!
Post a Comment