Haliya moonlight goddess statues

  

Haliya by John Henry Esteban

                                                 (Agnes Arellano, ‘Haliya Bathing’, 1983)

Featuring a Philippine moon goddess, pregnant and splayed in a childbirth position, ‘Haliya Bathing’ explores the intersection of the feminine and the sacred.

Made of coldcast marble sculpture and crushed marble stones, this sculpture by Agnes Arellano lends itself to a mythical significance that emphasises the artwork’s life-giving form. 

Haliya is a goddess from Bicolano oral mythology, and folklore known as the masked goddess of moonlight. According to myths and stories she is revered primarily by women and is celebrated for her strength and beauty. Haliya is depicted as a warrior goddess, protecting her brother Bulan, the god of the pale moon. She is often described as having fair, radiant skin, long black hair, and wearing a golden mask to conceal her otherworldly beauty.

In myths, Haliya is the arch-enemy of Bakunawa, an eel-like serpent dragon that tries to devour the moon. She is portrayed as strong and ruthless in combat, contrasting with his brother Bulan's gentle and playful nature. Haliya's battles with Bakunawa symbolize her role as a fierce protector of the moon and a symbol of feminine strength. Some stories say Rituals and dances named after her, some stories suggest she is the embodiment of the rituals that are performed to celebrate and summon her protective spirit during full moons.

Haliya Statue in Dubai
Sharply blue, tranquil, and monumental at over 18 feet tall,
the figure was created by internationally-circulating Filipino sculptor Duddley Diaz.

Haliya Moon goddess statues

 ‘Haliya Bathing’

 ‘Haliya Bathing’ bu Agnes Arellano

Masked Haliya Duddley Diaz

Bakit Buntis ang mga Estatwa ng Diwata ng Buwan?

Why are the Statues pregnant ?

The Haliya statues represents Mystery, hope and life. the Moonlight goddess from Bicolano oral mythology and folklore

Statues of Haliya are often portrayed as pregnant to reflect a lesser-known story from Bicolano mythology that highlights her connection to both mortal life and divine strength. While Haliya is typically depicted as a fierce warrior goddess, the protector of her gentle brother Bulan, there is a softer, more nurturing side to her mythos that explains the pregnancy imagery.

18 feet tall Haliya Moon goddess statue in Dubai
photo by jazperjay

In many myths, Haliya and her brother Bulan and other celestial beings would descend from the heavens to bathe in the waters of Ibalong. This act symbolizes purification and the ability to take on a mortal form. In one particular and lesser known story, Haliya falls in love with a mortal man during one of her visits to Earth. Her love for him is so profound that she temporarily forgets her divine nature and chooses to live as a mortal.

In love and in bliss she stayed on land and loved a mortal man. Eventually Haliya becomes pregnant, and as her time to give birth approaches, she returns to the waters where she first descended. Her brother Bulan, watching from the heavens, sends sylphs and fairies to comfort and support her during labor, singing songs that remind her of her strength and beauty. After giving birth to a child that is both human and divine, Haliya ascends back to the heavens.

This story intertwines the themes of love, transformation, and the divine connection to fertility, making the depiction of a pregnant Haliya in statues a representation of her role as a bridge between the celestial and mortal realms, and a symbol of creation and new life.

Duddley Diaz’s white Carrara marble sculpture of the Bicolano moon goddess Haliya. Haliya’s round and polished form The rotund,  and serene figure holds a crescent moon close to her pregnant belly.  An owl head crowns her seated figure. She is depicted as protector and goddess of wisdom. Ninety-kilos heavy, Haliya was transported from the artist’s garden in Italy to the Vargas Museum in 2010 for his retrospective exhibition Messenger of the Gods.(Louise Anne Marcelino)

Duddley Diaz 1995 Haliya the Moon Goddess Marble

Reminder

Avoiding Foreign Manipulation: Weaponizing myths and stories and using them as an excuse to attack, harass and even stalk storytellers or communities risks distorting their purpose. Myths are meant to unify, educate, or entertain, not to create division or hostility among Filipinos.

Filipino mythology belongs to everyone—Filipinos, Filipinix, and even foreigners. These stories are meant to unite, inspire hope, and empower. They are for all, ever-evolving yet forever a cultural treasure.

Both oral and written mythology in the Philippines are valid because they serve different but equally important roles in preserving Filipino heritage. What is truly harmful is when foreigners manipulate these discussions for personal gain, attempting to invalidate one aspect of Filipino mythology to cause division. Instead of falling for such tactics, Filipinos should embrace the richness and diversity of their own stories, ensuring that both oral and written traditions continue to thrive.

Orally transmitted stories undergo variations and evolve over time, resulting in numerous different versions. There are many different version told by Filipinos, and retold by Filipinos.

The orally transmitted mythology of the Philippines is intended for sharing and understanding. It is a dynamic narrative tradition that evolves over time, distinct from the standardized mythologies found in Western and European cultures. Unlike these established mythologies, the Philippine government has not mandated standardized versions of stories and legends.

Orally transmitted stories undergo variations and evolve over time, resulting in numerous different versions. There are many different version told by Filipinos, and retold by Filipinos.