Heaven

== Polynesia ==
{{Main|Polynesian mythology}}
In the [[creation myth]]s of [[Polynesian mythology]] are found various concepts of the heavens and the underworld. These differ from one island to another. What they share is the view of the universe as an egg or coconut that is divided between the world of humans (earth), the upper world of heavenly gods, and the underworld. Each of these is subdivided in a manner reminiscent of [[Dante]]'s [[Divine Comedy]], but the number of divisions and their names differs from one Polynesian culture to another.<ref>Craig, Robert D. ''Dictionary of Polynesian Mythology''. Greenwood Press: New York, 1989. {{ISBN|0-313-25890-2}}. P. 57.</ref>

=== Māori ===
In [[Māori mythology]], the heavens are divided into a number of realms. Different tribes number the heaven differently, with as few as two and as many as fourteen levels. One of the more common versions divides heaven thus:

# Kiko-rangi, presided over by the gods Toumau
# Waka-maru, the heaven of sunshine and rain
# Nga-roto, the heaven of lakes where the god [[Maru (mythology)|Maru]] rules
# [[Hauora]], where the spirits of newborn children originate
# Nga-Tauira, home of the servant gods
# Nga-atua, which is ruled over by the hero [[Kaha'i|Tawhaki]]
# Autoia, where human souls are created
# Aukumea, where spirits live
# Wairua, where spirit gods live while waiting on those in
# Naherangi or Tuwarea, where the great gods live presided over by [[Rehua]]

The Māori believe these heavens are supported by pillars. Other Polynesian peoples see them being supported by gods (as in [[Hawaii]]). In one [[Tahiti]]an legend, heaven is supported by an [[octopus]].

=== Paumotu, Tuamotus ===
[[File:Paumotuheavens.gif|thumb|upright=1.6|An 1869 illustration by a [[Tuamotus|Tuomatuan chief]] portraying nine heavens]]
The Polynesian conception of the universe and its division is nicely illustrated by a famous drawing made by a [[Tuamotus|Tuomotuan]] chief in 1869. Here, the nine heavens are further divided into left and right, and each stage is associated with a stage in the evolution of the earth that is portrayed below. The lowest division represents a period when the heavens hung low over the earth, which was inhabited by animals that were not known to the islanders. In the third division is shown the first murder, the first burials, and the first canoes, built by [[Laka|Rata]]. In the fourth division, the first coconut tree and other significant plants are born.<ref>Young, J. L. "The Paumotu Conception of the Heavens and of Creation", ''Journal of the Polynesian Society'', 28 (1919), pp. 209–211.</ref>