Mayari: Goddess of the Moon and Night

Mayari, a deity from Tagalog mythology, is the ruler of earth during the night. She is also referred to as Kulalaying (Moon Shadow) and Dalagang nasa Buwan (Maiden of the Moon). In other Philippine traditions, Mayari is also the almighty ruler over life and death.

This illustration is rather simple, there is a lot of open space with the Goddess embracing the moon over the people who are surrounded by the night. People pray and celebrate Gods they scarcely notice is close them, but Mayari is a compassionate and loving God who sends rain, health and wealth in abundance to those who deserve it.

Fire plays many roles in a variety of Philippine Traditions. Fires are used for cooking, warmth and light but there are also celebrations that involve large bonfires. For example, at the Sagada Bonfire Festival, people gather around a large fire to play traditional games and perform folk dances, which are used to teach the guests about the lives of their ancestors during the pre- Spanish colonization period.

Another tradition, “Panag-apoy” (to light a fire), is when you light a small fire to bless the grave of someone you have lost. The fire’s light and warmth also serves as a guide and comfort for the departed souls.

Mayari became the goddess of the Moon and Night after her father, Bathala (King of Gods) died without a will. Mayari and her brother, Apolaki, fought a great war after he denied her proposal to rule earth equally. During the battle, Apolaki struck his sister with a bamboo staff which led to the loss of Mayari’s eye. After this, Apolaki apologised and agreed to his sister’s proposal. Since then Apolaki ruled the day whilst Mayari became the Goddess of Moon and Night. In honour of Mayari, lovers pledge their love with the moon as witness. On the night of a full moon, male suitors give a corsage of a sampaguita to the woman they are courting, wearing the corsage means she accepts him as her lover.

In our next blog post, we explore another aspect Mayari's story.

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