What
is a Corn Maiden
Corn
is to Pueblo people what the buffalo has always been to the Plains Indians, the
very symbol of LIFE. In Zuni mythology, the Corn Maidens brought
this gift, and many of the carvings of women, especially those with a criss-cross
pattern on the body, are carved to pay homage to the Corn Maidens.
What
is an Olla Maiden?
An olla
maiden is known for carrying a jar, or olla, on her head. She wears traditional
garments and her hair is typically formed in maiden bundles at the sides with
a long flowing section down her back. Ollas were traditionally used to carry corn
meal or water.
What
is a Butterfly Maiden?
Butterfly
represents transformation, the ability to go through changes in life with grace
and lightness, like the plain caterpillar changing into a colorful butterfly.
Butterfly's bright colors symbolize liveliness and playfulness. Butterfly helps
us look at heavy and tense situations with a new, lighter perspective.
What
is a Tabletta?
Also
called a tablita, this is a portion of the headdress of the Hopi Butterfly
Maiden. It is a decorated board with stair step edges and a decorated front
and back. It is worn, using a harness to hold it onto the head, so that the widest
portion is seen from the front or the back.