Expression through Symbolism

Sweet Bliss · 03-14-2013, 09:46 AM

Living in the Southwest for decades made me very aware of using the symbols of cultures I was surrounded by, Native American tribes, Mexican and Spanish.

When asked why I don't make pots that look more Native, I have always replied, 'It's not my culture." Meaning I'm not going to exploit the ignorance of tourists or others and claim to be Native, and therefore 'my pots' are authentic. Although my great grandmother was Native, I still am not sure what tribe or other affiliations she may have had. So NO, I do not consider myself Native. Using Native signs and symbols for personal gain is a major no-no in my world. Using their pottery making techniques is different to me. It's a technique that many cultures have used over many thousands of years. However, I don't make Native pots for sale. I have made them yes, under the direction of my Native teacher. I gave them away as gifts.

As for Spanish influences, I have a huge family still living in Spain. Until recently when my father explained that we are actually French Basque, I believed otherwise.

My thoughts are that we pull images, colors, feelings from a vast collective unconcious. For some it appears to be from our similiar cultures, and others from cultures we believe we have no affiliation, but a deep regard or pull.

I think it matters not where we find these images, symbols, but our intent when using them. Respect is the key word here for me personally.

Cid · 03-14-2013, 11:10 AM

I guess if I were to choose a symbol, it's the peace sign. I have a necklace that a very good friend of mine gave me that's a peace sign and a few bracelets in the peace sign as well. It symbolizes my need/desire for peace within my heart and my mind.
And the fact that I'm a product of the '60's, it reminds me of my younger days. That's why I chose it for my avatar.

Boots13 · 03-18-2013, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IslandScout

I identify more with color, I think. I've always had colors that felt like they were "mine." Maybe I'll start there.

When I think of Black as symbol, I think mourning. If I gave Pink a cause or complexity of thought I default to Breast Cancer Awareness and then Cancer in general. Green represents, for me, peace and calm and can illicit a response of being in the forest...I think I get it ! I love the association of color to symbolism.
It didnt occur to me when I started the thread that Color can also convey a thought or message !

Quote:

Originally Posted by jac

..I have used symbolism throughout in order to express the person that I am. ..
More often though I tend to use totems. My longest lasting of them and the one that represents me the most is the turtle.

The Pisces fish, the mermaids, and the turtle are mine for now... all water related.

Its fascinating to read how we associate or connect to the world at large through a series of feelings or ideas that manifest into Turtle, Octopus, Mermaids, Colors ! And I wonder, do our totems guide us? Or do they make their way, trailing us as we move forward in the world ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Bliss

Using their pottery making techniques is different to me. It's a technique that many cultures have used over many thousands of years. However, I don't make Native pots for sale. I have made them yes, under the direction of my Native teacher. I gave them away as gifts.
...
I think it matters not where we find these images, symbols, but our intent when using them. Respect is the key word here for me personally.

How wonderful that you know the tradition of a culture regarding the making of traditional pots. Though you dont claim the culture could you be considered a guide or teacher of the technique? I think its important to know what it is we claim or borrow from cultures that are not our own. But it also seems imperative that we dont let the earmarks of a culture fade or die. It seems a difficult task to maintain the integrity of a culture that you dont claim by knowing and demonstrating ancient techniques, and still honoring that culture without diluting its traditions by continuiing to stand outside it, by not claiming it. I'm glad you posted
Sweet Bliss. Thankyou.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cid

I guess if I were to choose a symbol, it's the peace sign. I have a necklace that a very good friend of mine gave me that's a peace sign and a few bracelets in the peace sign as well. It symbolizes my need/desire for peace within my heart and my mind.
And the fact that I'm a product of the '60's, it reminds me of my younger days. That's why I chose it for my avatar.

I love the peace sign. Its universal. Its portable. It packs a whollop when used in the midst of conflict and it reminds me of daisy's ! LOL, thanks Cid !

jac · 03-18-2013, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boots13

And I wonder, do our totems guide us? Or do they make their way, trailing us as we move forward in the world ?

Interesting perspective. I always felt they were guiding but trailing could be another way to perceive their journey. A student learns from a teacher and a teacher can learn from a student if they are open to the possibility. It might be nice to think they travel with us till we no longer need them.... *head tilt*

Ginger · 03-18-2013, 06:14 PM

Okay, well Boots thinks colors are good symbols, in a way, too, so here goes.

I loved the color blue when I was a kid and still do. I liked to lie on the grass and look up at the sky, the blue sky.

Now it's not so much that I have colors that are my favorites or symbolize me, but combinations of colors vibrate in a way that I identify with.

The main one of these is aqua, gold and black. Those are the colors of my apartment. And I like streaks of red mixed in here and there, for warmth.

03-14-2013, 09:46 AM	#1
Sweet Bliss Senior Member How Do You Identify?: I Am Preferred Pronoun?: she Relationship Status: solo Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: the Beach, Pacific side Posts: 4,160 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 5,354 Thanked 7,268 Times in 2,159 Posts Rep Power: 21474856	Since you brought it to light Living in the Southwest for decades made me very aware of using the symbols of cultures I was surrounded by, Native American tribes, Mexican and Spanish. When asked why I don't make pots that look more Native, I have always replied, 'It's not my culture." Meaning I'm not going to exploit the ignorance of tourists or others and claim to be Native, and therefore 'my pots' are authentic. Although my great grandmother was Native, I still am not sure what tribe or other affiliations she may have had. So NO, I do not consider myself Native. Using Native signs and symbols for personal gain is a major no-no in my world. Using their pottery making techniques is different to me. It's a technique that many cultures have used over many thousands of years. However, I don't make Native pots for sale. I have made them yes, under the direction of my Native teacher. I gave them away as gifts. As for Spanish influences, I have a huge family still living in Spain. Until recently when my father explained that we are actually French Basque, I believed otherwise. My thoughts are that we pull images, colors, feelings from a vast collective unconcious. For some it appears to be from our similiar cultures, and others from cultures we believe we have no affiliation, but a deep regard or pull. I think it matters not where we find these images, symbols, but our intent when using them. Respect is the key word here for me personally.

03-14-2013, 11:10 AM	#2
Cid Member How Do You Identify?: ultra femme princess Preferred Pronoun?: she, lady..whichever Relationship Status: waiting for the right one Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Don't follow me, I'm lost. Posts: 807 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,627 Thanked 2,731 Times in 632 Posts Rep Power: 21474850	I guess if I were to choose a symbol, it's the peace sign. I have a necklace that a very good friend of mine gave me that's a peace sign and a few bracelets in the peace sign as well. It symbolizes my need/desire for peace within my heart and my mind. And the fact that I'm a product of the '60's, it reminds me of my younger days. That's why I chose it for my avatar. __________________ Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain.

03-18-2013, 06:14 PM	#5
Ginger Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Femme lesbian Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: East coast Posts: 2,416 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 5,829 Thanked 12,297 Times in 2,057 Posts Rep Power: 21474852	Okay, well Boots thinks colors are good symbols, in a way, too, so here goes. I loved the color blue when I was a kid and still do. I liked to lie on the grass and look up at the sky, the blue sky. Now it's not so much that I have colors that are my favorites or symbolize me, but combinations of colors vibrate in a way that I identify with. The main one of these is aqua, gold and black. Those are the colors of my apartment. And I like streaks of red mixed in here and there, for warmth. __________________ Reach out.