The Legend of Mata Nui

	The Legend of Mata Nui
	Aspect of Society
Location	Mata Nui
Purpose	Convince Matoran of a false history
Effects	Deceived the Matoran of Mata Nui about their origins
Pronunciation	MAH-tah NOO-ee

This article is about the legend. You may be looking for the game or the booklet.

The Legend of Mata Nui, also known as the Legend of the Bionicle, was a story told by the Turaga to the Matoran on Mata Nui. They told the Matoran this tale so that they would understand the threat of the Makuta without knowing their true history and origins in Metru Nui, which they had forgotten due to exposure in the Matoran Spheres. Different versions of the story existed, but all of them included Mata Nui coming from above to protect the Matoran, and then being struck down by the Makuta.

BIONICLE Chronicles

The following is relayed at the start of the first four BIONICLE Chronicles novels:

In the time before time, the Great Spirit descended from the heavens, carrying we ["us" in the fourth novel], the ones called the Matoran, to this island paradise. We were separate and without purpose, so the Great Spirit blessed us with the three virtues: unity, duty, and destiny. We embraced these gifts and, in gratitude, we named our island home Mata Nui, after the Great Spirit himself.

But our happiness was not to last. Mata Nui's brother, Makuta, was jealous of these honors and betrayed him. Makuta cast a spell over Mata Nui, who fell into a deep slumber. Makuta's power dominated the land, as fields withered away, sunlight grew cold, and ancient values were forgotten.

Still, all hope was not lost. Legends told of six mighty heroes, the Toa, who would arrive to save Mata Nui. Time would reveal that these were not simply myths - for the Toa did appear on the shores of the island. They arrive with no memory, no knowledge of one another - but they pledged to defend Mata Nui and its people against the darkness. Tahu, Toa of Fire. Onua, Toa of Earth. Gali, Toa of Water. Lewa, Toa of Air. Pohatu, Toa of Stone. And Kopaka, Toa of Ice. Great warriors with great power, drawn from the very elements themselves. Together, they were six heroes with one destiny: to defeat Makuta and save Mata Nui.

This is their story.

BIONICLE 2: Deep into Darkness

This version is recounted by the Turaga at the beginning of BIONICLE 2: Deep into Darkness:

This is the tale of Mata Nui, as it has been told for so many years. In the time before time, when the world was new, the Great Spirit Mata Nui descended from the skies like a burning star. He walked the world, and marvelled at its beauty, and watched over all living things.

But Mata Nui had been followed by his brother, the dark spirit Makuta. Makuta coveted this world and all that his brother had. Makuta cast a spell that made Mata Nui sleep. Then Makuta claimed the world, and darkness and death were everywhere.

Yet all was not lost. The Great Beings sent six mighty heroes - the Toa - to Mata Nui. Six heroes with one destiny: to defeat Makuta and save our world. The Toa will need all their power... for Makuta lives to destroy.

BIONICLE: Mask of Light

This version is told as the opening to BIONICLE: Mask of Light. This version was shortened, most notably cutting off when Mata Nui is struck down.

Gathered friends, listen again to our Legend of the BIONICLE. In the time before time, the Great Spirit descended from the heavens, carrying we, the ones called the Matoran, to this paradise. We were separate and without purpose, so the Great Spirit illuminated us with the three virtues: Unity, Duty, and Destiny. We embraced these gifts, and in gratitude, we named our island home Mata Nui, after the Great Spirit himself.

But our happiness was not to last, for Mata Nui's brother, the Makuta, was jealous of these honors and betrayed him, casting a spell over Mata Nui, who fell into a deep slumber. The Makuta was free to unleash his shadows . . . and unleash them, he did . . .

Storytelling

The Legend of Mata Nui was told in the village shrines of the island of Mata Nui. It was also told in Amaja Circles and at the Amaja-Nui in the central temple of Kini-Nui. Usually the characters and locations were visually represented as such:

The Mata Nui Stone, a smooth, whitish-tan stone embellished with a Hau-like carving, representing Mata Nui
The Makuta Stone, a jagged, dark-hued stone about the same size as the Mata Nui Stone, representing Teridax
A collection of smooth pebbles representing the Matoran
Sand was used as the surface underneath them, and burying the Mata Nui Stone represented his sleep
Tall, whitish-tan stones, not as tall as Mata Nui's, representing the Toa
Black, jagged rocks representing the Rahi

Trivia

The symbol used by the Turaga to represent the Legend of Mata Nui is the same as the one on the Kanohi Ignika, the Codrex, and Berix's coin.
The Legend of Mata Nui had a number of other incarnations, with different details relevant.
The term "paradise," comparable to "the heavens," is a mythological reference to Spherus Magna.
40581 BIONICLE Tahu and Takua features a tan round plate with a Mata Nui Stone and the Makuta Stone to represent the Legend of Mata Nui.