Ranginui: The Sky Father

Before there was light in the world, the Earth Mother Papatuanuku lay in an embrace with the Sky Father Ranginui. They were so close that not even light could come between them, and their children (the Gods) were forced to live in total darkness. Finally the children of Papatuanuku and Ranginui decided to separate their parents and allow light into the world, they all tried and failed, until it was the turn of TaneMahuta, the god of the forest. He planted his head and shoulders against his mother, and his feet against his father and pushed and pushed until, finally, they were separated, and light flooded into the world. Rangi's tears fall as rain towards Papatuanuku to show how much he loves her. When mist rises from the forests, these are Papa's sighs as the warmth of her body reaches out to him.