Quote:
Thank you.
Ah yes there was a story/meaning behind the design.
The reason I chose to make a shield of sorts was because of the symbolic nature of the circle and Suede being a beloved pet. Also the shield is symbol of protection. So, my belief that our pets pass and crossover to wait for us in the afterlife or are reborn to come to us again in this lifetime, is represented. Suede was born to his life with Cyn, he will pass before her and crossover...she will see him again, maybe several times more in this lifetime as his spirit is reborn into another pet to live with her through her days...when she crosses over they shall be together again.
The 7 knots are very symbolic for me as the number is very sacred to my people. There are 7 clans of the Cherokee, 7 sacred ceremonies and 7 directions honored.
The Clans:
Aniwahya - 'Wolf' Clan
Anikawi - 'Deer' Clan
Ani Tsiskwa - "Bird" or "Small Bird' Clan
Anigilohi - 'Long Hair' Clan
Anisahoni - 'Blue' Clan
Anigatogewi - 'Wild Potato' Clan
Aniwodi - 'Paint' Clan sometimes called 'Red Paint Clan'
There ceremonies:
The First New Moon of Spring Ceremony
The Green Corn Ceremony - held in August
The Ripe Corn Ceremony - held in the end of September
The Great New Moon Ceremony - held in October
The Reconciliation Ceremony - held 10 days after Great New Moon
The Bounding Bush Ceremony
The Uku Dance replaced the Great New Moon Ceremony every 7th year
The directions:
The numbers 4 and 7 are sacred in relation to the directions. 4 representing the primary directions of North, South, East and West with the Sacred Fire in the center, where they meet.
7 Represents the 7 directions honored by the Cherokee, north, south, east, west, above, below, and "here in the center", the place of the sacred fire.
So, when I look at Suede's picture, hear him crowing, talk to Cyn about his him, his behavior and demeanor, I get a "feel" for his spirit, or him. I feel strength, loyalty, devotion, gentleness, a guardian and lovable. I see those things in the design and the strength of it. So, as silly or weird as it may seem to some or many, I actually prayed long and hard about the design. I sat my little butt outside in the wee morning hours (cold too lol), and I prayed for guidance and meaning. I did that 7 mornings...each time facing a new direction. Then I sat down to sketch it.
I can only imagine what someone may think by reading all of that...but it so much a part of who I am, how I was raised and where I came from that to me, it is normal. Some people go to church on Sunday pray....I sit in the woods before the Creator each morning, seek advice and guidance. I put so much of heart and soul into a gift I create that it is important to me that it has the right purpose and comes from a good place. I can think of no better place for it to come from than my heart and my beliefs.
I am not beneath picking up a rock and talking to it...it is old and has seen many things...it is wise. You would be surprised what you can learn from a rock. As children we are sat on a rock to contemplate our actions or behavior.
Sorry this was so long and filled with information many may not care to read. But in short...yes there is a long story behind the design and the gift itself.
Thank you so much for this information on your clans, the ceremonies and your special prayers for this beautiful beaded work of Suede.
It all certainly shines through in the final project.
Wonderful, and I am in awe of you.
Wow.
Beth
Thank you.
Ah yes there was a story/meaning behind the design.
The reason I chose to make a shield of sorts was because of the symbolic nature of the circle and Suede being a beloved pet. Also the shield is symbol of protection. So, my belief that our pets pass and crossover to wait for us in the afterlife or are reborn to come to us again in this lifetime, is represented. Suede was born to his life with Cyn, he will pass before her and crossover...she will see him again, maybe several times more in this lifetime as his spirit is reborn into another pet to live with her through her days...when she crosses over they shall be together again.
The 7 knots are very symbolic for me as the number is very sacred to my people. There are 7 clans of the Cherokee, 7 sacred ceremonies and 7 directions honored.
The Clans:
Aniwahya - 'Wolf' Clan
Anikawi - 'Deer' Clan
Ani Tsiskwa - "Bird" or "Small Bird' Clan
Anigilohi - 'Long Hair' Clan
Anisahoni - 'Blue' Clan
Anigatogewi - 'Wild Potato' Clan
Aniwodi - 'Paint' Clan sometimes called 'Red Paint Clan'
There ceremonies:
The First New Moon of Spring Ceremony
The Green Corn Ceremony - held in August
The Ripe Corn Ceremony - held in the end of September
The Great New Moon Ceremony - held in October
The Reconciliation Ceremony - held 10 days after Great New Moon
The Bounding Bush Ceremony
The Uku Dance replaced the Great New Moon Ceremony every 7th year
The directions:
The numbers 4 and 7 are sacred in relation to the directions. 4 representing the primary directions of North, South, East and West with the Sacred Fire in the center, where they meet.
7 Represents the 7 directions honored by the Cherokee, north, south, east, west, above, below, and "here in the center", the place of the sacred fire.
So, when I look at Suede's picture, hear him crowing, talk to Cyn about his him, his behavior and demeanor, I get a "feel" for his spirit, or him. I feel strength, loyalty, devotion, gentleness, a guardian and lovable. I see those things in the design and the strength of it. So, as silly or weird as it may seem to some or many, I actually prayed long and hard about the design. I sat my little butt outside in the wee morning hours (cold too lol), and I prayed for guidance and meaning. I did that 7 mornings...each time facing a new direction. Then I sat down to sketch it.
I can only imagine what someone may think by reading all of that...but it so much a part of who I am, how I was raised and where I came from that to me, it is normal. Some people go to church on Sunday pray....I sit in the woods before the Creator each morning, seek advice and guidance. I put so much of heart and soul into a gift I create that it is important to me that it has the right purpose and comes from a good place. I can think of no better place for it to come from than my heart and my beliefs.
I am not beneath picking up a rock and talking to it...it is old and has seen many things...it is wise. You would be surprised what you can learn from a rock. As children we are sat on a rock to contemplate our actions or behavior.
Sorry this was so long and filled with information many may not care to read. But in short...yes there is a long story behind the design and the gift itself.
Thank you so much for this information on your clans, the ceremonies and your special prayers for this beautiful beaded work of Suede.
It all certainly shines through in the final project.
Wonderful, and I am in awe of you.
Wow.
Beth
