Eye of Kanaloa

     The Eye of Kanaloa is an ancient Hawaiian symbol which you see when you gaze into the eye of the God of the Ocean, Kanaloa. It is a powerful healing symbol as Kalanoa, whose name means “great peace” or “great stillness” is also a god of healing as he channels the energy “mana” from Io, the Source, to healing disease.

     Imagine a round spiderweb with four concentric circles ringing outwards and 8 spokes of a wheel radiating from the center circle. In the smallest circle in the center is a 7-armed star with a dot in the middle.  The overall pattern depicts the web of life, or the Aka Web, representing the interconnectedness of life. In the center of this web is the shaman or the conscious individual who knows that he or she weaves the pattern of the life lived or to be experienced. The conscious person is the dreamweaver.

     The Eye of Kanaloa can be thought of as a subtle energy or “mana” generator. The energy, which is sometimes felt as a tingling or a slight current of coolness if brought close to the forehead, hand or cheek, can be directed towards enhancing mental and physical abilities. Placing the symbol in any place such as a room or office has the effect of renewing the emotional energies of the place, bringing it back to harmony.

      It is also used to recharge other energy sources, either by placing it in front or behind the power source. Alternatively, its energy can be accessed directly by gazing at it in a meditative posture.

Mythology of the Primal Gods

     The God Kanaloa was one of the four major Gods in the ancient Hawaiian myths and was the constant companion of Kane, the God of Creation. They would travel the islands together, and would bring life to an area, by striking the earth with their wooden staves to bring forth fresh spring water.

     These spots, found in Lanai, Molokai, Maui and Oahu, are deemed sacred places or wahi pana. The spring called the Water of the Gods in Manoa Valley, two ohua trees, purportedly surrounded Oahu,, symbolizing the two primal gods, and a large rock, which represented a girl who petrified into stone when the gods attempted to seduce her. The spring was considered sacred to King Kamehameha.

     Accounts of them together and in ancient sculptures depict Kanaloa as being tall and fair with round eyes, and Kane as being dark with thick lips and curly hair.

     Both Kanaloa and Kane are prayed to by sailors; Kane for robust construction of the canoe and Kanaloa for accurate navigation and safe sailing over his watery domain. They are also the deities of fishermen and are believed to have started the ancient fishpond of Paohua in Lanai

     In the Hawaiian creation chant, the Kumilopo, Kanaloa is referred to as the “Great Octopus” and is sometimes referred to as the god of the underworld, where Hawaii was fished up from its depth. Both Kane and Kanaloa are believed to have come from Kahiki (Tahiti) and brought the skills of cultivation with them. Although he is a primal god, Kanaloa remains a mystery to ancient Hawaiians, and is actually better known in Tahiti where he is referred to as Tangaroa.

     It is interesting to note that his name Kanaloa is the alternate name for Kaho’olawe Island, and also means firm, secure, immovable and unconquerable, suggesting a state of total confidence.

Unraveling the Symbolism of the Eye of Kanaloa

     When you look at the interconnected web, the eight wheel spokes branching out from the center represent “mana” or spiritual power, which in turn is turbo-charged by the numeral eight, a symbol of great power in Hawaii.

     The four concentric circles represent the Hawaiian spirit of “aloha” or love. For example, the lei is a circular symbol of love and also means “circular” in Hawaiian. Additionally, the last syllable ‘Ha” represents “Life”, suggesting that Love, Life and Spiritual Power are the key elements to a conscious life.

     The dot in the middle of the star symbolizes Aumakua or the Higher Self, ringed by Lono or the mental self. The seven arms of the star depict the seven principles of huna, the ancient shamanic teachings.

     The star is enclosed by the circle of Ku or the Physical or Subconscious. Note that one arm of the star points downwards and is always aligned with one of the spokes of the wheel, signifying a connection between the inner and the dimensions of the self.

Kanaloa and Huna

     In the tradition of Huna Kupua, Kanaloa represents the core self or the seat of will. According to renowned Huna shaman, Serge Kahili King,

• Inspiration comes from the Higher Self, otherwise known as Aumakua or Kane
• Imagination from The Conscious Self or Lono
• Memory or remembrance from Ku or the Subconscious

Self will from the Kanaloa or the Core Self

     All-in-all, the Eye of Kanaloa is associated with life-giving, healing properties and meditation on its symbol or hanging it in a room or wearing it as a personal accessory energizes and accords great confidence, peace and power to the space or the wearer.