Aumakua

Aumakua

In Hawaiian mythology, an ʻaumakua is a personal or family god that originated as a deified ancestor, and which takes on physical forms such as spirit vehicles. An ʻaumakua may manifest as a shark, owl, bird, octopus, or inanimate objects such as plants or rocks. The word ʻaumakua means ancestor gods and is derived from the Hawaiian words "au", which means period of time or era, and "makua", meaning parent, parent generation, or ancestor. Hawaiians believed that deceased family members would transform into ʻaumākua and watch over their descendants with a loving concern for them while also being the judge and jury of their actions.

Pantheon: Polynesian Culture: Polynesian Civilization: Polynesia Period: 1000 BCE – present

Source: Wikipedia