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Description
I used the Kwakiutl art form because at first glance it is supposed to look forbidding. One need only do a little research to find that they are most commonly used as symbols for something benevolent, and metaphors for positive aspects of nature.

The two figures kneeling on opposite sides of the paper are symbolic of guardians. They have eagle talons stretching forth as if to snatch the soul of the deceased on its journey through the “gateway”. But this is not the case. They are protecting. The eagle is their mask and represents the ultimate guardian of all life. Its character embodies the wildness, the mysterious, gracefulness, wise, and all knowing spirit. It is the symbolic spirit that will guide the soul to the other side. In this way it also personifies the divine, with its keen and watchful eye that sees our every move even at great distances.

The “gateway” itself is shaped like a womb, to symbolize going back to the origin of my soul – going back home, to the divine mother.

The darkness = the unknown. The hole of light leads the way.

The faces around the gateway are masks…masks that I have worn in my life. Masks I leave behind forever.

In most native traditions, the whale is the keeper of Earth’s history and secrets, and in this case it represents my own secrets and history.

The most common description of the Thunderbird is that it is a huge mythical bird that lives high in the mountains. There are a few stories of Native Americans claiming to have seen it, but even some people who have never seen it still believe it exists. To me, it is symbolic of the divine, of “G-d”. To some people he/she is just a mythical spirit, to Moses he/she was real, and others just believe. To me, he/she is still the great unknown, but I believe he/she is here, everywhere. And that he/she is the ultimate guide to the other side.

The tombstones in front have the initials of people I knew that have died.

Description
I used the Kwakiutl art form because at first glance it is supposed to look forbidding. One need only do a little research to find that they are most commonly used as symbols for something benevolent, and metaphors for positive aspects of nature.

The two figures kneeling on opposite sides of the paper are symbolic of guardians. They have eagle talons stretching forth as if to snatch the soul of the deceased on its journey through the “gateway”. But this is not the case. They are protecting. The eagle is their mask and represents the ultimate guardian of all life. Its character embodies the wildness, the mysterious, gracefulness, wise, and all knowing spirit. It is the symbolic spirit that will guide the soul to the other side. In this way it also personifies the divine, with its keen and watchful eye that sees our every move even at great distances.

The “gateway” itself is shaped like a womb, to symbolize going back to the origin of my soul – going back home, to the divine mother.

The darkness = the unknown. The hole of light leads the way.

The faces around the gateway are masks…masks that I have worn in my life. Masks I leave behind forever.

In most native traditions, the whale is the keeper of Earth’s history and secrets, and in this case it represents my own secrets and history.

The most common description of the Thunderbird is that it is a huge mythical bird that lives high in the mountains. There are a few stories of Native Americans claiming to have seen it, but even some people who have never seen it still believe it exists. To me, it is symbolic of the divine, of “G-d”. To some people he/she is just a mythical spirit, to Moses he/she was real, and others just believe. To me, he/she is still the great unknown, but I believe he/she is here, everywhere. And that he/she is the ultimate guide to the other side.

The tombstones in front have the initials of people I knew that have died.