Atira—Mother Corn
Atira is the Pawnee goddess of the Earth and wife of Tirawa, the creator god. Her name literally means 'Mother Corn,' and she is associated with the corn that sustained the Pawnee people. Atira is a nurturing figure who provides food and life from the earth. In the Hako (Calumet) ceremony, a symbol representing Atira was created, showing corn painted so that the Rainstorm, Thunder, Lightning, and Wind are represented. The South Bands of the Pawnee particularly honored Atira through agricultural ceremonies, giving thanks for the harvest and praying for continued fertility of the soil.