Uenuku

Uenuku, also known as the Treader of the Rainbow, was the first bearer of the Ancient Name UMJ ("UMJ," Umoja) and one of the original Six Heroes of Natlan.^[1][3] He once journeyed with Xbalanque and participated in the Grand Alliance, but later left for unknown reasons.^[4] He was the wielder of Footprint of the Rainbow.^[1]

Profile

Uenuku's story is somewhat ambiguous, as there are many different versions from many different sources. However, they all mention his relationship with an Oceanid, whose name may have been Hineila (or Ianeira).^[1] In fact, Och-Kan's notes state that numerous Oceanids once followed Uenuku.^[4]

One legend says that Hineila was searching for someone who could become King, so that she could use them to fulfill her goal of purging Natlan's Phlogiston to make way for clear springs. She advised Uenuku to abandon his village and sweet-talked him into a deal — she would bless his weapon and accompany him, and when he became King, he would grant her "the spring where vicious beasts prowl." Uenuku knew that Hineila only saw him as a means to an end, but decided to fight alongside her "until the time came that they were to betray one another." However, they eventually fell for each other. Hineila tried to convince herself that Uenuku was just a pawn to her, to no avail. Just as he was about to be consumed by Xiuhcoatl's flames, she used her aqueous form to shield him, leaving only a rainbow behind.^[1] Och-Kan's notes confirm that Uenuku did indeed survive the battle against Xiuhcoatl and had been part of the Grand Alliance before leaving for some reason, supposedly "plunging into the sea" to reunite with his lover^[5]; the Oceanid followers also went away following his departure.^[4]

The ancient scrolls of the Meztli tell a tale with a happier ending. They say that Uenuku and Hineila met beneath the moonlight and fell in love, but Uenuku pushed her away in a "moment of suspicion." She left him, but, filled with regret, he searched for her for decades on end. Finally, the Oceanid's heart softened and she created a rainbow guiding the hero to "the sea's other side," where they were reunited, never to be separated again.^[1]

Appearance

(To be added.)

Story

(To be added.)

Notes

Trivia

• Uenuku also known as Uenuku-Kōpako is an atua of rainbows and a prominent ancestor in Māori tradition.

Other Languages

Language	Official Name
English	Uenuku
Chinese (Simplified)	乌努库 Wūnǔkù
Chinese (Traditional)	烏努庫 Wūnǔkù
Japanese	ウヌク Unuku
Korean	우에누쿠 Uenuku
Spanish	Uenuku
French	Uenku
Russian	Унуку Unuku
Thai	Uenuku
Vietnamese	Uenuku
German	Uenuku
Indonesian	Uenuku
Portuguese	Uenuke
Turkish	Uenuku
Italian	Uenuku

Change History

References