The goddess Mawu and her meaning: harmony out of chaos
In West African mythology, the goddess Mawu is one of the great goddesses of creation. She embodies the gentle, intuitive power that creates life and keeps it in harmony. As the goddess of the moon, she stands for femininity, wisdom and the natural balance between opposites - day and night, chaos and order, creation and destruction. Her counterpart, Lisa, is the sun, and together they stand for the balance between male and female energy, for the harmonious interplay of all the forces of the universe.
Goddess Mawu in West African mythology
Mawu is often described as a benevolent and motherly deity who brings prosperity, fertility and protection to people. In some stories, she created the earth from clay and formed all life with great care. However, the earth was too soft and unstable, so Mawu summoned the giant snake Aido-Hwedo to help. This coiled around the world and gave it the necessary solidity. Mawu thus symbolizes not only creative power, but also the wisdom to accept help and cooperate with other forces in order to maintain stability and harmony.
Mawu's spirit animal elephant - symbol of strength and connection
As a power animal, the elephant is closely linked to Mawu. It represents earthiness, wisdom and inner strength - a power that does not come from aggression or dominance, but from deep calm and constancy. Elephants are known for their close connection to their family and their habitat. They remind us that true strength does not have to be loud or demanding, but comes from a connection to oneself, the earth and the community. In this sense, Mawu teaches us to listen to our intuition, to respect the natural flow of life and to remain patient in times of chaos.
Mawu's message for today
In a world that is often characterized by hustle and control, Mawu can remind you that true creation is not always linear. Sometimes it takes phases of chaos, trial and error and uncertainty before things fall into place. It's about trusting the process, allowing something new to emerge layer by layer - whether in art, life or personal development.
Her energy invites you to reconnect with the earth, with your inner knowing and with the forces that work within you. It shows that femininity does not mean weakness, but is a profound, creative force. A force that does not force, but guides, does not destroy, but creates - always in harmony with the natural rhythm of life.
My picture "Mawu and the elephant"
My painting "Mawu and the Elephant" was created precisely in this energy - not by planning, but by allowing a creative process to take place. In the beginning, I didn't know which goddess would show up. I started with abstract layers of collage elements, ink, spray paint and texture paste, gradually building up depth without having a firm idea of the end result. It was only when I looked at the resulting chaos that I realized that Mawu and her elephant wanted to be in this painting.
The textured paste and charcoal powder that I have integrated into the painting symbolize the connection to the earth and to the original power of creation. The golden reflections in the last layer stand for the refinement of the creation process - the radiance that arises when something new has grown with patience and trust.
Mawu reminds you that in every chaos lies a deeper order, that every uncertainty is only part of a larger process. It invites you to become aware of your own creative power - in art, in life and in yourself.
German