Description
Designed by Tlingit artist Mark Preston, these earrings depict Hummingbird in a sleek, almost Art Nouveau style. Each earring measures 1 1/2" x 1/2". They are sterling silver & laser-cut. Every purchase comes with an artist biography. While significance varies Nation to Nation, there are associated traits & representational characteristics of the Hummingbird that remain constant cross culturally. Within Northwest Coast Native cultures, the Hummingbird is often more closely associated with insects rather than other birds because of its size, speed, & tendency to flit about from one place to the next. Because of this, they are seen as being messengers - flying about with news to tell. Hummingbirds are messengers that bring happy news of good health & good luck. Hummingbirds are closely associated with the Dzunukwa, or Property Woman - the giantess of the woods who protects & is the steward of forest life. The Hummingbirds nest in her hair & fly about her head, & she considers them a sign of beauty - mimicking gemstones. There are stories of high ranking Haida women arriving to feasts & potlatches with strings of live Hummingbirds around their necks, meant to signify their beauty, rank, & wealth. Hummingbirds are also associated with rainbows because of their varied & vibrant colors & the way that they can fly about quickly, catching the light that reflects off raindrops. First Nations Tlingit Hummingbird Earrings Sterling Silver
