Damon Mcknight
Australian folklore offers several fascinating explanations for how the sun was made, with various Aboriginal legends providing unique and captivating narratives. One such legend tells of a time when there was no sun, only a moon and stars, and the Earth was inhabited by birds and beasts of enormous sizes. This changed when Dinewan the emu and her companion, Brälgah or Brolga, quarreled and fought on a large plain. In a fit of rage, Brolga seized one of Dinewan's large eggs and threw it into the sky, where it landed on a heap of firewood. The egg's yolk spilled and burst into flames, illuminating the entire world with a dazzling brightness. A good spirit living in the sky witnessed this spectacle and decided to recreate this fire every day, thus bringing light to the world. Another legend introduces the Sun Mother, who was awakened by the Father of All Spirits to bring life to the Earth. As she ventured across the land and into caves, her radiant presence awakened spirits and gave birth to insects, plants, and animals. Eventually, she rose into the sky and became the sun itself, journeying across the horizon each day. These stories, along with others like the kookaburra's laughter heralding the sunrise, showcase the rich tapestry of Australian folklore and provide a glimpse into the cultural and spiritual beliefs of the indigenous people.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The Sun Mother
In the Australian Aboriginal creation myth, the Sun Mother plays a pivotal role in bringing life to Earth. In the beginning, all the spirits of the earth were asleep, except for the great Father of All Spirits. He gently awoke the Sun Mother, and as she opened her eyes, a warm ray of light spread towards the sleeping earth.
The Father of All Spirits instructed the Sun Mother to descend to Earth and wake the sleeping spirits, giving them form. As she glided across the barren land, plants grew in her path. She then ventured into the dark caves in the mountains, and her radiant light awoke the spirits within. Insects of all kinds flew out of the caves, followed by the birds and animals, who burst into the sunshine in a glorious array of colours.
As the Sun Mother rose into the sky, the living creatures watched in awe as she became the sun, travelling from east to west. However, when she finally sank below the horizon, they were gripped with panic, fearing she had abandoned them. To reassure them, the kookaburra, Goo-goor-gaga, agreed to laugh his loudest every morning before sunrise, awakening the sleepers and heralding the coming of the sun.
In another Australian Aboriginal legend, the creation of the sun is attributed to Dinewan the emu and Brälgah, her dancing bird companion. During a quarrel, Brälgah seized one of Dinewan's large eggs and threw it into the sky, where it landed on a heap of firewood. The egg's yolk spilled and burst into flames, illuminating the earth. A good spirit in the sky witnessed this beauty and decided to recreate the fire each day.
Understanding Australian Health Insurance Rebate and Your Benefits
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Father of All Spirits
In the Australian Aboriginal creation myth, the Father of All Spirits played a crucial role in the emergence of life and light on Earth. At a time when everything was still, the Father of All Spirits was the only spirit awake. He gently awoke the Sun Mother, asking her to go down to Earth and wake the sleeping spirits, giving them form.
The Sun Mother, also known as Walu in Yolngu traditions, ventured onto the bare Earth and began to walk. As she walked, plants and flowers grew in her path. She then entered the dark caves on the mountainsides, and her bright light awoke the spirits within. Insects of all kinds flew out of the caves, followed by fish, snakes, lizards, and frogs.
The Sun Mother continued her work, awakening the spirits of birds and other animals. As these creatures burst into the sunshine, the Father of All Spirits was pleased with what he saw. The Sun Mother instructed the creatures to enjoy the wealth of the Earth and live peacefully with one another.
Then, the Sun Mother herself rose into the sky and became the sun. The living creatures watched in awe as she journeyed across the sky from east to west, creating daylight. However, when she finally sank beneath the horizon, they were filled with panic, fearing that she had deserted them.
In another version of the Australian Aboriginal legend, the creation of the sun is attributed to the quarrel between Dinewan the emu and Brolga or Brälgah, the beautiful dancing bird. In their rage, Brolga or Brälgah threw one of Dinewan's large eggs up into the sky, where it landed on a heap of firewood and burst into flames. This lit up the world, catching the attention of a good spirit who lived in the sky. He was so taken by the beauty of the earth when lit up by this blaze that he decided to make a fire every day, thus creating the sun.
The Aboriginal legends also address the daily cycle of the sun. In one tale, Ngoudenout, witnessing the splendour of the sun, decides to give it to humanity forever. Each night, when the fire of the sun burns out, he collects firewood in a dark forest in the sky. At dawn, he lights the fire, which burns until noon and then slowly fades until twilight and nightfall.
Converting $11,000 to Australian Dollars: How Much Is It?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Sun as a Torch
In Australian Aboriginal folklore, there are several stories that explain how the sun was made. One such story, "The Sun as a Torch", is told by the Yolngu people of Arnhem Land in the far north of Australia.
In this story, the Sun is a woman named Walu. Each morning, Walu lights a small fire, which marks the dawn. She adorns herself with red ochre, and some of the ochre dust falls onto the clouds, creating a red sunrise. Walu then lights her torch, made from the bark of a stringy-bark tree, and carries it across the sky from east to west, illuminating the world with her blazing torch and creating daylight.
As Walu reaches the western horizon, she extinguishes her torch and begins her long journey underground back to the morning camp in the east. This story explains the daily movement of the Sun across the sky and back again under the ground. The Yolngu people, along with other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups, marked the rising and setting positions of the Sun throughout the year, noting important times that coincided with the solstices and equinoxes.
Another similar story tells of a time when there was no sun, only the moon and the stars. The Earth was inhabited by birds and beasts, which were much larger than they are today. Dinewan the emu and Brolga, a beautiful dancing bird, were arguing and fighting on a large plain. In her anger, Brolga ran to Dinewan's nest, grabbed one of her large eggs, and threw it up into the sky. The egg landed on a heap of firewood, breaking and spilling its yellow yolk, which ignited and lit up the whole world. A good spirit who lived in the sky saw how beautiful the earth looked when lit up and decided to make a fire every day, thus creating the sun.
In another tale, the Sun Mother, awakened by the Father of All Spirits, glides down to the bare Earth and walks in all directions, spreading life and growth. She then enters the caves on the mountainsides, and her bright light awakens the spirits within. Insects of all kinds fly out of the caves, followed by the awakening of birds and animals, who burst into the sunshine in a glorious array of colors. The Sun Mother rises into the sky, becoming the sun itself.
Carp Habitat in Australia: Understanding Their Presence Down Under
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Sun as an Egg
In the Australian Aboriginal creation story, the Sun is a female entity, often referred to as the Sun Mother or Sun Woman. In one version of the story, the Sun Mother is awoken by the Father of All Spirits, who asks her to descend to Earth and awaken the sleeping spirits, giving them form. As she walks across the bare Earth, plants grow in her path. She then enters the caves on the mountainsides, where her bright light awakens the insects, snakes, lizards, and frogs. Her heat melts the ice, creating rivers and streams. She awakens the birds and animals, who burst into the sunshine in a glorious array of colours. Finally, she rises into the sky and becomes the Sun, travelling from east to west each day.
In another version of the story, the Sun is created from an emu's egg. Long ago, when there was only a moon and stars in the sky, Dinewan the emu and Brolga, or Brälgah, the dancing bird, were fighting. In a fit of rage, Brolga, or Brälgah, grabbed one of Dinewan's large eggs from her nest and threw it up into the sky. The egg landed on a heap of firewood, and the yellow yolk spilled out and burst into flames, lighting up the whole world. A good spirit who lived in the sky saw how beautiful the Earth looked when lit up and decided to create a fire every day.
In Yolngu traditions of Arnhem Land in northern Australia, the Sun woman is named Walu. Each morning, she lights a small fire, which we see as dawn. She decorates herself with red ochre, which colours the clouds at sunrise and sunset. She then lights her torch and travels across the sky from east to west, creating daylight. At the end of her journey, she puts out her torch and journeys underground back to the morning camp in the east.
In some stories, the morning star is not enough to wake those who are sleeping, so the spirits decide that a noise must be made at dawn each day to announce the arrival of the Sun. They choose the laughter of Goo-goor-gaga, the kookaburra, to ring through the air and awaken the sleepers before sunrise.
DMHA: Australia's Ban and Its Impact
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Sun's Laughter
In the Dreamtime, when animals roamed the earth and they were much bigger than they are today, there was no sun, only a moon and stars. The spirits of the earth were asleep, except for the great Father of All Spirits. He gently awoke the Sun Mother, and as she opened her eyes, a warm ray of light spread towards the sleeping earth.
The Father of All Spirits instructed the Sun Mother to descend to the earth and wake the sleeping spirits, giving them form. As she glided down to the barren earth, plants grew in her path. She ventured into the dark caves on the mountainsides, and her bright light awoke the insects, snakes, lizards, and frogs. Her heat melted the ice, creating rivers and streams. She then awoke the birds and animals, who burst into the sunshine in a glorious array of colours.
The Sun Mother sat and admired her creations as her insects mingled with her flowers. The Father of All Spirits was pleased and urged her on once more. She rose into the sky and became the sun. The living creatures watched in awe as she journeyed across the sky. However, when she finally sank beneath the horizon, they panicked, thinking she had abandoned them.
The spirits decided that a noise was needed at the dawn of each day to announce the arrival of the sun and wake the sleepers. They heard the laughter of Goo-goor-gaga, the kookaburra, and knew it was the sound they had been searching for. They asked Goo-goor-gaga to laugh his loudest every morning before sunrise to awaken the sleepers. And so, he agreed, and his laughter has rung through the air ever since, heralding the arrival of the sun each day.
Experience Australia with Virgin: Comfort, Luxury, Adventure
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
There are several stories that explain the creation of the sun in Australian Aboriginal folklore. One story tells of a time when there was no sun, only a moon and stars. Dinewan the emu and Brolga/Brälgah, the beautiful dancing bird, were fighting and in her rage, Brolga/Brälgah threw one of Dinewan's eggs up into the sky, where it landed on a heap of firewood. The egg's yellow yolk spilled everywhere and burst into flames, lighting up the whole world. A good spirit who lived in the sky saw how beautiful the earth looked and decided to make a fire every day.
Another story tells of the Sun Mother, who was awoken by the Father of All Spirits and sent to Earth to wake the sleeping spirits and give them form. As she walked, plants grew and when she entered the caves, insects of all kinds flew out. She created the rivers and streams by melting the ice with her heat and then created fish, small snakes, lizards, and frogs. After awakening the spirits of the birds and animals, she rose into the sky and became the sun.
In Australian Aboriginal folklore, the kookaburra's laughter is said to herald the coming of the sun each morning. The spirits needed a noise loud enough to wake the sleepers before sunrise and they chose the kookaburra's laughter for this purpose.
