Native American Wedding Vase and Cactus-Square Format
by Ellen Levinson
Title
Native American Wedding Vase and Cactus-Square Format
Artist
Ellen Levinson
Medium
Painting - Watercolor
Description
A combination still life and landscape of a Native American Wedding vase and prickly pear cactus set against an exaggerated sun and southwestern desert landscape. Bold,colorful and somewhat surreal this would be a lovely statement piece, and a wonderful gift for a wedding or anniversary.
The Wedding Vase is an ancient vessel which is still used in traditional Native American wedding ceremonies.The two spouts represent the husband and wife. The looped handle symbolizes the unity created by marriage. The circular (oval) space created by the handle loop represents the couples' circle of life.
The tradition of the wedding vase is a treasured and sacred one among many Native American Indian tribes, especially the Pueblo and Navajo peoples.
A week or two prior to the official marriage, the groom's parents make the wedding vase from clay from a local river bed,which is ceremonially cleaned and filtered. Both the bride's and grooms families gather together when the vase has been properly fired. The young couple is given advice by both sets of parents, then the wedding vase is filled with a special liquid-nowadays this is usually water or herb tea.Traditionally the liquid would be a nectar made by the medicine man.This drink represents the blending of their lives. The bride drinks first and then the groom from one side,then they each drink from the other side.They then drink from the vessel together - and it is said that if not a drop is spilled during this ceremony that they will always have a strong relationship. The wedding vase becomes a treasured piece in their household.
from http://www.kachinahouse.com/c-61-wedding-vases.aspx
(c) 2014 Ellen Lynn Levinson (Ellyn)
All images are protected by U.S. and International copyright laws.
All rights reserved by the artist Ellen Lynn Levinson (Ellyn).
Images may not be reproduced or used in any way without written permission from the artist.
Uploaded
July 26th, 2014
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