While in Santa Fe earlier this summer, we encountered the work of Zuni Pueblo Carver, Brian Yatsattie. We had not carried his work before. We were struck by the appeal of his six directions sets carved from antler.
Then, as we walked through the Santo Domingo Pueblo Market, we turned the corner to find him sitting in his booth with his young child on lap.
We were able to convince him to wholesale some of his work to us. After returning to Florida, we received a phone call that he was ready to send us some of his six directions Zuni fetish sets. Three of them later arrived in the mail. We purchased two of them, the third being very similar.
One of the the sets portrayed the six protectors with robes and feathers carved into the bases.
The other set had the creatures wrapped in blanket-style robe carving.
As background, six directions sets are carved by a few Zuni Pueblo carvers.They include the eagle, protector of the sky; the bear, protector of the West; the mole, protector of the underworld; the badger, protector of the South; the mountain lion, protector of the North; and the wolf, protector of the East.
In Zuni belief, these animals represent the spiritual strength and power of the ancients. To have them on your side, is to protect yourself from harmful influences.
The eagle brings spirit, vision, truth, and connection withthe Great Spirit.
The mountain lion stands for leadership, traveler protection and success at the hunt.
The bear represents strength of soul, inner power, introspection and healing.
The badger is known for aggressiveness and perseverance.
The wolf is considered the teacher, the pathfinder, the source of clarity and survival.
The mole protects the crops.
Recently, at our request for a taller set, Brian Yatsattie sent us another set of six directional animals. Whereas the first two sets stood about 3 1/2" tall, the new set's creatures are 7" tall.
Now, if you are interested in these sets, and in looking more closely at the individual pieces in each set, make a visit to our ZuniLink web site and click on the link to six directions carvings
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