The story of the Naupaka is a beautiful legend from Hawaii

The Hawaiian goddess Pele had a beautiful sister named Princess Naupaka. Pele was jealous of this sister because she was so beautiful and everyone loved her.

One day Princess Naupaka was walking along the beach and noticed a very handsome young man standing in the water. When he saw her he told her that his name was Kaui and they fell instantly in love with each other. The Princess went to tell her sister of Kaui and how they wanted to be married. Pele insisted on meeting him first.

The next day Pele went down to the beach to meet Kaui. When she saw him she saw how desirable he was and she wanted him for herself. Pele told Kaui that he had to marry her, but Kaui refused for his love for Princess Naupaka was too great. This enraged Pele and she chased the couple up the mountain trying to kill them with her lava.

Pele has another, gentler sister who took pity on the couple and wanted to save them from Pele’s wrath. She took the blossom from Princess Naupaka’s hair and split it in half. In doing so she transformed Kaui into the Mountain Naupaka and she turned the princess into the Beach Naupaka, saving them but separating them forever.

Both Naupaka blossoms exist today, one on the beach and one up the mountain, each blooming as half flowers. It is said that the lovers will be reunited when the flower of the Naupaka Kauihiwi and the Naupaka Kahakai are ed together.

:volcano: :fire: :volcano: THE GODDESS PELE :volcano: :fire: :volcano:

Pele is the goddess of volcanos and fire, and the creator of the Hawaiian islands. She is a sacred deity in Hawaiian religion and shows up in many stories of folklore. She is the daughter of Earth Mother and Sky Father, who were descendants of the supreme beings. She lives in the summit of Kilauea, in Halema’uma’u crater, throwing molten fountains into the air and governs the flow of lava.

Other names: Pele-honua-mea (Pele of the Sacred Land), and Ka wahine’ai honua (The Earth Eating Woman)

Correspondences

Iconography: favorite subject of artists

Attributes: fire

Spirit Allies: Kamapua’a; Pele has a close relationship and is related to many spirit sharks

Creatures: dog, shark

Sacred Sites: Mount Kilauea

Tree: ‘Ohi’a Lehua

Plant: sadlaria ferns, ohelo

Color: red, orange, flame

Element: fire

Offerings: crystals, roast chicken, flowers, ohelo berries, flame colored luxurious fabrics

Credit: “Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses” written by Judika Illes

Image credit

Cover image: “Naupaka” by Dietrich Varez on Etsy (also seen below)

First image: The Naupaka Flower aeluvhula.com

Second & third image: found on tumblr

Image four: found on imgur

Image five: “Elements” by Cathrine Langwagen