As a child I was entranced by my interactions with the natural world. I was just as thrilled when a butterfly landed on my sleeve, as I was when a raccoon waddled across my path. I’ve had so many amazing close encounters with wildlife, that I came to believe something similar to the Native American idea of power animals or medicine animals. Face-to-face meetings with a wild animal often seemed to precede a life event, so I started paying even more attention to these visitors.
Once a coyote jumped over a fence onto the road in front of me, with a giant snake hanging from his mouth. Then he just stood there and we looked at each other. On the day we lost our daughter Hanna, a bald eagle appeared and circled over our house the whole day. My first closeup encounter with a bear was as a child at summer camp in the mountains. Often I am the only one who sees the animals. I see foxes in the brush, and owls in the trees, and I’ve rescued ladybugs from bare median strips. (“Fly Away Home!”)
I do remember at a young age, having a close encounter with an iridescent translucent dragonfly. It buzzed around me and then landed on the picnic table in front of me. The sun was shining and its wings sparkled. I was absolutely dazzled. I felt as if I had been blessed by a fairy.
There are many cultural traditions that recognize the beauty, wisdom and symbology of animals. It is not only the indigenous peoples of the Americas, Australia, and the continent of Africa. Even the refined ancient cultures of Asia recognized the inherent perfection in the dragonfly, the crane, and the tiger. We see many of these animal symbols in the Japanese Noren panels for instance. (Koi fish, rabbit, peacock, butterfly and owl for instance.)
Today I am feeling sad about the building conflict abroad, and thinking about our quilter friends in Russia and Ukraine. I was curious about what animals represent Peace in different cultures. I found that every culture has animals that represent Peace. Some of these include Doves, Cranes, Cows, Lambs, Ladybugs, Swans, Turtles, Owls, Elephants, and Butterflies. These are all animals that are represented in our extensive eQuilter fabric collections.
For those of us who wish to bring the symbology of these animals into our lives, we may include them in a quilt, embroider or applique them onto a garment, wear a piece of animal-themed jewelry, or even get a tattoo with the symbol. Right now I am praying for peace and meditating on the Dragonfly.
Will you join me?
…sharing your love of fabric,
Luana and Paul
Quilt/Travel Calendar:
Through Apr 9, 2022 – New England Quilt Museum (NEQM) “For the Love of Gaia” exhibit
Sat, April 9 – “International Quilt Trends” lecture – NEQM Closing Reception
August 4-6 – Long Beach Quilt Festival
October 18-24 – Luana’s Polar Bear Tour – Churchill Manitoba Canada
