Design meanings
Whether etched or painted the designs have the same symbolism
Seedpots are used to store seeds which was used by our ancestors to preserve seeds for the next planting season.
A wedding vase is part of the marriage ceremony similar to the toasting of the bride and groom.
Spirit bowls are used in Acoma homes in the center of the kitchen table. They are used as an offering to the spirits when food is eaten.
Bear and the bear claw represent power as well as strength.
Collared lizard is good luck and fortune. The story is when a young Acoma boy was hiking on a journey he came across a collared lizard. The boy returned home and told his grandfather about this meeting. His grandfather told him when you come across the collared lizard again, you must do a dance for it in order to receive the good fortune/luck.
Kokopelli is a design of a figure playing the flute which has many meanings. Fertility and healing are two meanings which are used on our pottery. The kokopelli is found on wedding vases and certain ceremonial pottery.
The desert tortoise is a design that represents longevity of life.
Parrots are monogamous and are used on wedding vases. The parrot is also a clan in Acoma.
Anasazi friendship dancers are used to promote unity and positive energy within a tribe.
Anasazi fish design is sacred due to the fish needing water for life.
Kiva step designs are incorporated on to the designs of our pottery to symbolize the kiva which is a prayer and meditation dwelling.
Healer or shaman design. Female healer has the single feather and the male has the deer head dress. The are hands open because he or she prays for world peace.
The majority of the designs will represent moisture due to the fact that we live in the desert and are constantly praying for moisture.
The sleeping beauty turquoise symbolizes beauty. Also named after the mine it was mined.
Rabbit kokopelli is the flute player which symbolizes abundance of health & prosperity.
Anasazi antelope design signifies freedom.
Eric demonstrating at the Indian Pueblo cultural center in Albuquerque, NM