Atira (goddess) facts for kids
Atira is a very important goddess in the beliefs of the Pawnee people. The Pawnee are a Native American tribe. Her name means "our mother" or "Mother." She is known as the earth goddess.
Atira was believed to be the wife of Tirawa. Tirawa was the main god who created everything. People believed that Atira appeared on Earth as corn. Corn was a special symbol of life. It showed how Mother Earth gives us everything we need to live.
Honoring Atira: The Hako Ceremony
The Pawnee people honored Atira in a special event called the Hako ceremony. During this ceremony, they used an ear of corn. This corn was painted blue to represent the sky. White feathers were also added to the corn. These feathers looked like clouds. All of these items were used as symbols of Atira. They helped people remember her importance.
Atira's Daughter: Uti Hiata
Atira also had a daughter named Uti Hiata. Uti Hiata was very important to the Pawnee people. She taught them many useful skills. These skills included how to make tools. She also showed them how to grow their own food.
Legacy
Atira's name is still remembered today in different ways.
- 163693 Atira is the name of an asteroid. This asteroid is special because its path around the sun is entirely inside Earth's path.
- Atira Mons is a mountain on the planet Venus. It was named after the goddess Atira.
- Atira is also honored in a famous art piece. She is included among the women listed in the Heritage Floor of Judy Chicago's artwork called The Dinner Party.
See Also
