 Sky
Gods
by Jody Bergsma
"You can never fly too high."
The golden eagle is a very important symbol to our Southwestern native
Americans. It is the Thunderbird and represents a messenger of the gods.
The Zuni's, along with other Southwestern natives, believed their deities
traveled in the cumulus clouds which were often represented by stair step
designs.
The gods would speak to the people with lightning, and thunder. But,
if you wanted to talk to them you would need the help of the Golden eagle.
The Shaman or native dancer would don eagle claw head dresses with eagle
feathers and dance until a trance state developed; whereby, he would ride
an
eagle into the clouds and beyond.
The Zuni inspired design in this picture is actually a representation
of one of these deities. To the shaman in the world of spirit there are
no limits and there is nothing you cannot do. |