Moʻo are shapeshifting lizard spirits in Hawaiian mythology.

Description

Moʻo often take the forms of monstrous reptiles, tiny geckos, and humans. They were revered as

ʻaumakua In Hawaiian mythology, an ʻaumakua (; often spelled aumakua, plural, aumākua) is a personal or family god that originated as a deified ancestor, and which takes on physical forms such as spirit vehicles. An 'aumakua may manifest as a shark, ow ...

, and could have power over the weather and water. They are amphibious, and many fishponds in Hawaii were believed to be home to a moʻo. When a moʻo dies, its petrified body becomes part of the landscape. In their human form they are usually still part lizard and they are extremly beautiful, also irresistibly 'sexy'

List of Moʻo

*Mamala: A moʻo known for her skill in

surfing Surfing is a surface water sport in which an individual, a surfer (or two in tandem surfing), uses a board to ride on the forward section, or face, of a moving wave of water, which usually carries the surfer towards the shore. Waves suitabl ...

. *

Kalamainuʻu In Hawaiian religion, Hawaiian mythology, Kalamainu'u (alternate spelling Kalanimainu'u) was a Moʻo, lizard goddess. Myths She is said to have lured her lover Puna-ai-koa'e to her cave where she kept him prisoner. When he longed to go surfing aga ...

: A moʻo associated with

wrasse The wrasses are a family, Labridae, of marine fish, many of which are brightly colored. The family is large and diverse, with over 600 species in 81 genera, which are divided into 9 subgroups or tribes. They are typically small, most of them le ...

fishing. *Kapulei: A male moʻo whose body is said to lie on Kamalō Ridge. *Kihawahine: A moʻo believed to inhabit Mokuhinia and

Violet Lake Violet Lake ( haw, Kiʻowaiokihawahine), is a small high-elevation lake located at above sea level on Mauna Kahalawai (the West Maui Mountains), situated in the western part of the island of Maui. It is located in the boggy slopes near the ʻEke ...

. *

Hauwahine In Hawaiian mythology, Hauwahine was a moʻo and the guardian spirit of Kawainui Fishpond as well as Pā‘eo and Kaʻelepulu fishponds. Name In the Hawaiian language, the name ''Hauwahine'' literally means "female ruler". Characteristics ...

: The moʻo guardian of Kawainui Several named moʻo were defeated by Hiʻiaka

References

{{Legendary-creature-stub Hawaiian legendary creatures Legendary reptiles Shapeshifting Water spirits