In Māori mythology, Matariki is the name for the star cluster known as the Seven Sisters.
Astronomically, Matariki is the Pleiades cluster in the constellation Taurus. Its first pre-dawn appearance in midwinter traditionally marked the Māori New Year, although the exact date varies across iwi and is determined by the lunar calendar and local observation.
Matariki is also the name of one star in the cluster, not only the cluster as a whole. The word is commonly explained as a shortened form of Ngā mata o te ariki Tāwhirimātea, meaning “the eyes of the god Tāwhirimātea.” In one origin story, the wind god tore out his eyes after the separation of his parents, Ranginui and Papatūānuku, and cast them into the sky.
Some Māori traditions count seven prominent stars, while others recognise nine. Names and interpretations differ between communities. Puanga, or Rigel, is an alternative seasonal marker in parts of Aotearoa where Matariki is difficult to see.