Tangaroa
The god of the sea in Cook Islands mythology, one of the twin sons of Avatea (the first man) and Papa (the earth goddess). Tangaroa and his brother Rongo shared dominion over all things - with Tangaroa taking everything red. He is a major deity in the Cook Islands pantheon. Tangaroa is also the father of Tinirau, the god of the ocean. In some traditions, Tangaroa rivals his brother Rongo for supremacy. The Tangaroa cult was prominent on Aitutaki and other islands. Fishermen and voyagers offered prayers to Tangaroa for protection and good catches. He is sometimes depicted as a creator figure as