The Lost Eye of the NIGHT

 

The story of Mayari comes from pre-colonial Filipino mythology, particularly from Kapampangan and Tagalog traditions. These myths were originally passed down through oral tradition, meaning they were told through storytelling before being written down.

The supreme god in many Tagalog myths is Bathala, and Mayari is described as one of his children. Some versions of the myth were later documented by Filipino historians and writers during the Spanish colonial period, but the story itself existed long before colonization. Because it came from oral tradition, there is no single “author.” Instead, it is a cultural myth created and preserved by early Filipinos.

Mayari is known as the goddess of the moon and the daughter of Bathala. She had siblings, including Apolaki, the god of the sun, and Tala, the goddess of the stars.

After Bathala’s death, the siblings argued about who would rule the sky. Apolaki wanted to rule alone, but Mayari believed they should share power. This disagreement led to a battle between the sun and the moon. During their fight, Mayari lost one of her eyes. Because of this, the moon shines less brightly than the sun.

Eventually, they agreed to divide the sky — Apolaki would rule during the day, and Mayari would rule at night. Tala would accompany her sister, lighting the night sky with stars. The balance between day and night was restored.

Long ago, before the sun and moon had their place in the sky, the supreme god Bathala ruled over the world. From him were born mighty children, among them Apolaki, the god of the sun, Mayari, the goddess of the moon, and Tala, the goddess of the stars.

When Bathala passed away, the siblings argued over who should inherit his power and rule the heavens. Apolaki, strong and fierce, wanted to rule alone, claiming that the sky should belong to him. Mayari, however, believed in fairness and insisted they share the heavens together.

Anger and pride took hold, and a great battle erupted between the brother and sister. Lightning flashed and thunder roared as they clashed in the sky. During the fight, Mayari suffered a grave injury — she lost one of her eyes. Despite her sacrifice, she refused to surrender.

Finally, both realized that endless fighting would only bring chaos. They reached an agreement: Apolaki would rule the day, shining brightly across the land, while Mayari would reign at night, accompanied by her sister Tala, whose stars lit the dark sky. From then on, day and night existed in balance, and the moon’s gentle glow reminded all of Mayari’s courage and sacrifice.

And so, the people said, whenever you see the soft light of the moon, it is Mayari watching over the night, her one eye a symbol of strength, wisdom, and fairness.

 Critical Analysis

The story of Mayari reflects important Filipino values such as balance, equality, and shared power. The conflict between Mayari and Apolaki symbolizes the struggle for authority and the importance of compromise. Instead of total domination, the myth teaches that harmony comes from sharing responsibility.

Mayari losing one eye can symbolize sacrifice. It shows that leadership sometimes requires suffering. It may also represent why the moon’s light is softer than the sun’s, offering a mythological explanation for natural phenomena.

The myth also highlights the presence of strong female figures in pre-colonial Philippine beliefs. Mayari is not portrayed as weak; she is brave, powerful, and willing to fight for fairness.

Summary

The legend of Mayari is a pre-colonial Filipino myth passed down through oral tradition. It tells the story of the moon goddess who fought her brother Apolaki for control of the sky after Bathala’s death. After losing one eye in battle, Mayari and Apolaki agreed to divide the sky between day and night, creating balance in the world.

The story explains the difference between the brightness of the sun and the moon while teaching lessons about equality and harmony.

Reflection

The story of Mayari shows that power should not be used to dominate others but to create balance. It reminds us that conflicts can be solved through compromise. I learned that Filipino mythology is rich in meaning and that even natural events like day and night have deeper cultural explanations.

Mayari’s bravery inspires us to stand for fairness, even when facing strong opposition. Her story proves that ancient Filipino beliefs carry wisdom that is still relevant today.