The Great Sundial

The Great SundialSundial: The Codrex Pointer of Onu-WahiThe Sundial was a large organic structure buried in the rock of Onu-Wahi that served as a hidden entrance to the Mangaia and, once shrunk and given to Takanuva, as a means of pointing the way to the Codrex. of Onu-WahiOnu-WahiThe underground kingdom of Mata Nui, home to the Onu-Matoran and Toa Onua. was a mysterious disk buried beneath the Great MineGreat MineOnu-Koro's most important mining complex, and home to an unexpected gateway to the island's darkest secrets. of Onu-KoroOnu-KoroOnu-Koro was the earth engineers' city, where underground isolation created one of Mata Nui's most self-sufficient settlements, until the Bohrok came. on Mata NuiMata Nui (Location)An island created by accident on the Great Spirit's face, home to the Matoran for a thousand years.. It served two purposes in the story: as a hidden entrance to the MangaiaMangaia: Teridax's lair beneath Mata NuiMangaia was Teridax's hidden lair beneath the island of Mata Nui. It held a pool of Energized Protodermis used to make Infected Kanohi and Rahkshi., MakutaMakuta (Species)Shadowy Antidermis beings and the Brotherhood's elite, Makuta commanded darkness and shaped the Matoran Universe's fate. TeridaxTeridaxTeridax orchestrated a thousand-year scheme that ended with him occupying the Great Spirit Robot itself before his death on Bara Magna.'s underground lair, and, in a later shrunken form given to TakanuvaTakanuvaHidden among the Ta-Matoran as Takua, the disguised Av-Matoran who became Takanuva was the sole Toa of Light produced in the Matoran Universe's full history., as a pointer to the CodrexThe CodrexA spherical vault built by the Great Beings in Karda Nui, where the Toa Mata slept in their canisters and where Mata Nui's reawakening was finally set off. in Karda NuiKarda NuiThe vast cavern at the core of the Matoran universe, home of the Av-Matoran's Sky Villages and the Codrex, and the site of the battle to awaken Mata Nui.. It worked by casting the shadow of a fitted gnomon, using light from a LightstoneLightstoneGlowing crystals that powered Onu-Koro's mines and revealed secrets beneath Mata Nui. or a Toa of Light. (Mata Nui Online Game; Takanuva's Blog; BIONICLE Legends 10: Swamp of Secrets)

Discovery in the Great Mine#

The Sundial came to light during Onu-MatoranOnu-MatoranEarth-wielding Matoran of the deep who adapted to darkness and built the Matoran Universe's defensive cavalry. digging in the Great MineGreat MineOnu-Koro's most important mining complex, and home to an unexpected gateway to the island's darkest secrets., the main excavation of Onu-WahiOnu-WahiThe underground kingdom of Mata Nui, home to the Onu-Matoran and Toa Onua.. The prospector who uncovered it recognised the astrological markings on its face and sketched them onto a tablet. When TakuaTakuaAn Av-Matoran hidden on Mata Nui as a Ta-Matoran, who gathered the Toa Stones, served as Chronicler, and ultimately accepted the Avohkii to become Takanuva, the Toa of Light. came to Onu-KoroOnu-KoroOnu-Koro was the earth engineers' city, where underground isolation created one of Mata Nui's most self-sufficient settlements, until the Bohrok came., the prospector asked him to take the tablet to the astrologer NixieNixieNixie was a Ga-Matoran Astronomer of Ga-Koro who tracked the Red Star, recorded prophecies, and supplied Takua with the Gnomon that opened the Onu-Wahi Sundial. of Ga-KoroGa-KoroGa-Koro is a village on the island of Mata Nui, inhabited by the Ga-Matoran and associated with both Nokama and Gali. The settlement was formerly under the power of Teridax.. (Mata Nui Online Game)

The request was one of many errands TakuaTakuaAn Av-Matoran hidden on Mata Nui as a Ta-Matoran, who gathered the Toa Stones, served as Chronicler, and ultimately accepted the Avohkii to become Takanuva, the Toa of Light. ran across Onu-WahiOnu-WahiThe underground kingdom of Mata Nui, home to the Onu-Matoran and Toa Onua. during his travels around the island. (Mata Nui Online Game)

NixieNixieNixie was a Ga-Matoran Astronomer of Ga-Koro who tracked the Red Star, recorded prophecies, and supplied Takua with the Gnomon that opened the Onu-Wahi Sundial., the Ga-MatoranGa-MatoranThe Water-element Matoran of Ga-Metru and Ga-Koro, a female Matoran type, who filled the schools of Metru Nui and crewed the boats of the Mata Nui coast. astrologer of Ga-KoroGa-KoroGa-Koro is a village on the island of Mata Nui, inhabited by the Ga-Matoran and associated with both Nokama and Gali. The settlement was formerly under the power of Teridax., studied the markings. She guessed that an earthquake had sent the sundial beneath the earth, and noted that it had an indicator at four o'clock, a mark no other sundial shared. She had found a gnomon in the foothills of Mount IhuMount IhuA snow-capped peak in Ko-Wahi where Kopaka sought his first mask and Nuju honored his mentor. and gave it to TakuaTakuaAn Av-Matoran hidden on Mata Nui as a Ta-Matoran, who gathered the Toa Stones, served as Chronicler, and ultimately accepted the Avohkii to become Takanuva, the Toa of Light. to see whether it fitted the centre of the disk. (Mata Nui Online Game)

Opening the chamber#

TakuaTakuaAn Av-Matoran hidden on Mata Nui as a Ta-Matoran, who gathered the Toa Stones, served as Chronicler, and ultimately accepted the Avohkii to become Takanuva, the Toa of Light. returned to the Great MineGreat MineOnu-Koro's most important mining complex, and home to an unexpected gateway to the island's darkest secrets., fitted the gnomon into the centre of the disk and shone his LightstoneLightstoneGlowing crystals that powered Onu-Koro's mines and revealed secrets beneath Mata Nui. on it until the gnomon's shadow fell on the four o'clock mark. The Sundial's markings lit up and vanished, and its centre dropped away into a spiral staircase. At the bottom was a chamber with a golden Kanohi and the word "Rahi" floating above a pedestal. (Mata Nui Online Game)

The chamber's purpose remained a mystery to the Matoran at this stage. (Mata Nui Online Game)

The entrance to MangaiaMangaia: Teridax's lair beneath Mata NuiMangaia was Teridax's hidden lair beneath the island of Mata Nui. It held a pool of Energized Protodermis used to make Infected Kanohi and Rahkshi.#

The Sundial's deeper purpose emerged after the Battle of Kini-NuiThe Battle of Kini-NuiWhile the Toa Mata descended into Mangaia to confront Makuta Teridax, six Matoran with bamboo disks held the temple gate that was their only way back.. The golden Kanohi in the chamber vanished, and the way into TeridaxTeridaxTeridax orchestrated a thousand-year scheme that ended with him occupying the Great Spirit Robot itself before his death on Bara Magna.'s lair opened. (Mata Nui Online Game)

At TuragaTuragaFormer Toa who fulfilled their destiny and transformed into leaders. Turaga wield Noble Kanohi masks and weakened elemental powers, guiding their communities. WhenuaWhenuaToa Metru of Earth and later Turaga of Onu-Koro, formerly an Onu-Metru archivist whose career in the Archives shaped his role across the rescue of Metru Nui and the long residency on Mata Nui.'s suggestion, TakuaTakuaAn Av-Matoran hidden on Mata Nui as a Ta-Matoran, who gathered the Toa Stones, served as Chronicler, and ultimately accepted the Avohkii to become Takanuva, the Toa of Light. went down the staircase and pressed a newly revealed button on the pedestal. The floor of the chamber sank rapidly, carrying him down into the MangaiaMangaia: Teridax's lair beneath Mata NuiMangaia was Teridax's hidden lair beneath the island of Mata Nui. It held a pool of Energized Protodermis used to make Infected Kanohi and Rahkshi., where he witnessed the Toa MataWho are the Toa Mata?Six warriors built to order by Artakha, stored in canisters, dropped into the ocean. This is the origin story of Bionicle's heroes and why their first week of work was entirely amnesiac.'s defeat of TeridaxTeridaxTeridax orchestrated a thousand-year scheme that ended with him occupying the Great Spirit Robot itself before his death on Bara Magna.. (Mata Nui Online Game)

Retrieval by the Toa Nuva#

The Sundial returned to the story while the Toa NuvaToa Mata and Toa NuvaSix biomechanical heroes created by the Great Beings to awaken Mata Nui and defeat the Brotherhood, transformed once and tested across an entire age. were carrying out the tasks needed to prepare the universe for the Great Spirit's awakening. A strange voice told Lewa NuvaLewaToa of Air, member of the Toa Mata and Toa Nuva, whose career was marked by repeated possession, body theft, and aerial campaigns from Le-Wahi to Karda Nui. to retrieve the Sundial and place it in the ArchivesThe Archives of Metru NuiThe Archives of Onu-Metru were the central repository of Matoran knowledge and Rahi specimens, maintained by the Archivist Corps beneath the city's surface.. (Toa Nuva Blog)

LewaLewaToa of Air, member of the Toa Mata and Toa Nuva, whose career was marked by repeated possession, body theft, and aerial campaigns from Le-Wahi to Karda Nui.'s entries in the Toa Nuva BlogToa NuvaThe form the Toa Mata took after stepping into the Energized Protodermis beneath the Bahrag, with new masks, new tools, and the elemental scale to fight Karda Nui. record the errand. He did as he was told, though nobody explained to him at the time what the Sundial was for. (Toa Nuva Blog)

By the time the Sundial reached TakanuvaTakanuvaHidden among the Ta-Matoran as Takua, the disguised Av-Matoran who became Takanuva was the sole Toa of Light produced in the Matoran Universe's full history., it had been shrunk to a portable size. On DaxiaDaxiaDaxia is a location situated east of the Southern Continent, affiliated with the Order of Mata Nui and home to the Shallows Cat., ToaToa (2001)Biomechanical heroes bonded to elemental powers and masks. Not born, but chosen and transformed. KrakuaKrakuaA Toa of Sonics from De-Koro who served the Order of Mata Nui and delivered a devastating prophecy to Vakama. handed it to him before he set out for Karda NuiKarda NuiThe vast cavern at the core of the Matoran universe, home of the Av-Matoran's Sky Villages and the Codrex, and the site of the battle to awaken Mata Nui.. (BIONICLE Legends 10: Swamp of Secrets)

The locator function#

In Karda NuiKarda NuiThe vast cavern at the core of the Matoran universe, home of the Av-Matoran's Sky Villages and the Codrex, and the site of the battle to awaken Mata Nui., the shrunken Sundial served as a compass. When TakanuvaTakanuvaHidden among the Ta-Matoran as Takua, the disguised Av-Matoran who became Takanuva was the sole Toa of Light produced in the Matoran Universe's full history. shone light on it, the shadow pointed toward the CodrexThe CodrexA spherical vault built by the Great Beings in Karda Nui, where the Toa Mata slept in their canisters and where Mata Nui's reawakening was finally set off., the place from which the Great Spirit could be awakened. The same shadow-casting trick that had once opened the way into the MangaiaMangaia: Teridax's lair beneath Mata NuiMangaia was Teridax's hidden lair beneath the island of Mata Nui. It held a pool of Energized Protodermis used to make Infected Kanohi and Rahkshi. now pointed the way to the Codrex. (Takanuva's Blog; Makuta's Guide to the Universe)

TakanuvaTakanuvaHidden among the Ta-Matoran as Takua, the disguised Av-Matoran who became Takanuva was the sole Toa of Light produced in the Matoran Universe's full history. used it on his arrival in Karda NuiKarda NuiThe vast cavern at the core of the Matoran universe, home of the Av-Matoran's Sky Villages and the Codrex, and the site of the battle to awaken Mata Nui. to find his bearings and head toward the Toa NuvaToa Mata and Toa NuvaSix biomechanical heroes created by the Great Beings to awaken Mata Nui and defeat the Brotherhood, transformed once and tested across an entire age. and the Codrex. (Takanuva's Blog; BIONICLE Legends 10: Swamp of Secrets)

Design, origins, and significance#

The Sundial's face is divided into eighteen sections, with a unique marker at four o'clock that served as the key to the chamber below. (Mata Nui Online Game)

The published story never explains who made the Sundial or how it came to lie under the island. TeridaxTeridaxTeridax orchestrated a thousand-year scheme that ended with him occupying the Great Spirit Robot itself before his death on Bara Magna. used the route it opened into the MangaiaMangaia: Teridax's lair beneath Mata NuiMangaia was Teridax's hidden lair beneath the island of Mata Nui. It held a pool of Energized Protodermis used to make Infected Kanohi and Rahkshi., but nothing in the story shows him building it. (Mata Nui Online Game; Takanuva's Blog)

The Great Sundial held an unusual place in the history of Mata NuiMata Nui (Location)An island created by accident on the Great Spirit's face, home to the Matoran for a thousand years.. It gave TakuaTakuaAn Av-Matoran hidden on Mata Nui as a Ta-Matoran, who gathered the Toa Stones, served as Chronicler, and ultimately accepted the Avohkii to become Takanuva, the Toa of Light. the route by which he first reached the Toa MataWho are the Toa Mata?Six warriors built to order by Artakha, stored in canisters, dropped into the ocean. This is the origin story of Bionicle's heroes and why their first week of work was entirely amnesiac. in the MangaiaMangaia: Teridax's lair beneath Mata NuiMangaia was Teridax's hidden lair beneath the island of Mata Nui. It held a pool of Energized Protodermis used to make Infected Kanohi and Rahkshi., and years later, as TakanuvaTakanuvaHidden among the Ta-Matoran as Takua, the disguised Av-Matoran who became Takanuva was the sole Toa of Light produced in the Matoran Universe's full history., he carried the same Sundial, shrunken and put to a new use, into Karda NuiKarda NuiThe vast cavern at the core of the Matoran universe, home of the Av-Matoran's Sky Villages and the Codrex, and the site of the battle to awaken Mata Nui.. (Mata Nui Online Game; Takanuva's Blog)

Its role ran from the early Mata NuiMata Nui (Location)An island created by accident on the Great Spirit's face, home to the Matoran for a thousand years. period to the Toa NuvaToa Mata and Toa NuvaSix biomechanical heroes created by the Great Beings to awaken Mata Nui and defeat the Brotherhood, transformed once and tested across an entire age.'s final mission. What became of it after Karda Nui is not recorded in the published story. (Toa Nuva Blog; Takanuva's Blog)