Grandmother Earth is Pregnant
Transcript of Grandmother Earth is Pregnant
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Grandmother Earth is Pregnant
Clifford C. Richey
February 2011
Revised 3-19-2011
Illustration 1: Photograph by Kevin Montague.,Courtesy and Indiana University
Art Museum
Raymond and Laura Wielgus Collection, Indiana University Art Museum,
2010.49
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Because the vessel was covered in white slip it is difficult to photograph the incised lines which
make up the composition. This also causes difficulty in translating the signs which are based in
Gesture signs, Imagery, and Form. It has increased the possibly of error in perception and
translation of this composition. Be that as it may, this vessel does demonstrate the highly organized
placement of the signs in developing the Form and Imagery. At the very least this composition
shows that it is not simply an art form determined by line but rather has a highly sophisticated and
compact organization that has the ability to communicate a message. The province of this vessel is
unclear. It may be Olmec but is said to have been found in Santa Cruz, Morelos.
The initial impression of this ceramic vessel is one of an emaciated and elderly woman in the throes
of giving birth. The ancient Native Americans often used a clay vessel as a metaphor for the earth, a
container made of the earth (see past papers). The overall Imagery of the vessel sets the scene for
the rest of the composition's message. This vessel is but one example of the somewhat technical or
mechanical approach to the cosmology. The vessel is a water pitcher and when tilted the water
would flow from its mouth much as water flows from a spring on a hillside. As we shall see this
flow matches the signs for a flow found on the figure's cheeks.
The vessel was covered with white slip and apparently had no signs painted upon it. All the signswere molded or incised into the clay. The rationale for the white slip was that white was the color
associated with spirits. The combination of the white slip and the female figure as a vessel provides
Illustration 2: Grandmother Earth's Birth Pangs
Photograph by Kevin Montague.,courtesy and Indiana University Art Museum; colored highlights
drawn by author
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We now come to the Sternum (a, tan, Finger pointing the direction, below) and Ribs (green). The
Sternum provides a Vertical Line of Division that positions the Rectangular place signs, on the side.
This is further re-enforced by the drooping Breasts, the hills of earth-female, (tan) which also assist
in indicating age. Here we see the (green) Rectangularplace signs arranged in levels on each side
of the green Dividing Line. The Number Three was used as a kind of shorthand for the word, many.
This is similar to how we use the English words a couple for the number two and a few for the
number three. Thus we have many places, many levels on the sides of the earth. We observe that alltheplace signs are arranged so that they are touching the sides of the Breasts. In this particular case
the Breasts are in the Form of curved Triangular earth-female signs meaning, turning-female. This
combination of words, turning-female, was an indication of death because the body and spirit of the
deceased was viewed as placed within the earth-female's domain (buried) and thus the spirit took on
(turned to) a female gender. Again, a further re-enforcement that it is the earth that is under
discussion is provided by the (red) Triangular (based on the shape of the female genital area) sign
for earth-female located at the base of the Dividing Line. The Sternum Finger points downwardto
the side of the (red) Triangularfemale-earth sign.
Grandmother Earth,
gives birth,
The Great Egg,
The great unborn,
Here,
at
The Navel,
The Center.
Unborn,
His location,
The one.
The male-spirit
Place
Above
and
Below
on
the side
(of the earth-female)
Here,
Turning-female,
Between,
The many
places,
on
Her Breasts, Her hillsides,
The center,
on
the side
of
The earth-female.
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The Hands, The Stewards
(of the Sun)
on
Her Breasts,
The hillsides.
From this perspective we are looking down at the Face of the Earth ( her appearance). The Large
(green) Forms appear to be the Large Curved outline of a great male-spirit(Form based on the glans
penis). Within it is a Large Tumi Knife (also green) meaning, the great warrior. The Stub of the
Knife is a Vertical Rectangle, a deep place sign and the Lines (red) moving upwards on each side
indicate, arising. We also see a smaller version of the male-spiritsign (black) within the Mouth.
The Mouth represents a water-source and within itthe male-spirit, in the darkness. The (pink) Lipsor edge of the water-source represents the Double Lined sign for unseen.
The Great Male Spirit,
The Great Warrior,
On the Face of the
Earth-female,
Her Mouth,
A water-source,
A spring,
unseen,
Illustration 4: Overhead View of Vessel
Photograph by Kevin Montague.,courtesy and Indiana University Art Museum; colored highlights
drawn by author
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within the darkness
the male-spirit
The flowing (water)
Around the tip of the Nose is the U shaped sign (orange) for turning (positionally) Double Lined,
unseen, below. The two orifices (black) of the Nose, the holes (in the face of the earth). Around the
turning sign are the signs (one on each side of the Nose and moving down the cheeks like tears) for
flowing (water). The Eyes are closed and thus, unseen, which is probably a reference to the Eyes of
the Sun (Venus) being below the earth thus not seen.
Her Ears,
The holes,
on the side
ofHer Face,
taken downward
and upward
through
the Face
of
the earth-female,
The flowing
water
on the sides
Illustration 5: Photograph by Kevin
Montague.,courtesy and Indiana University
Art Museum; colored highlights drawn by
author
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(of her face)
The
unseen,
Turning,
the
holes,
the f lowing
Looking carefully at the Eyebrows we can see that they are Fingers pointing a direction. The one on
the left (east) stems from the Ear hole and points toward the (green)place sign of the Nose. The
Finger (also has the meaning of the number, one) on the right (west) points toward the orifice of the
right ear. The left Ear, if not both Ears, has an S shaped sign that means, taken downwards andtaken upwards. It is noteworthy that both Ears have two orifices or holes. The Curve of the back of
the Head is positionally above the other signs and is, very likely, the sign for, the arc of the sky
(dark blue).
The One
at
The hole in the west
and
the hole in the east
arisingto
arch of the sky.
Illustration 6: Photograph by Kevin
Montague.,courtesy and Indiana University
Art Museum; colored highlights drawn by
author
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The Eyes (stance) are closed, at rest. The Eyes (positional) represent the Eyes of the Sun (Venus, itstwo faces arising in the east and west). The concept was that Venus acted as the Eye of the Sun,
arising before the Sun in the east. The closed eyes indicate that Venus has not yet been born arisen.
The Eyebrows are Fingers that point a direction. On the right, the west, the Finger points to the
orifice, the hole of the Ear. The base of the Finger stems from the Nose (green, compounded place-
handle of the knife sign) to the hole on the side of the earth. Probably referring to where Venus has
previously descended in the west. On the left the Finger points from the Ear ( hole ) toward the Nose.
The, green, compounded Rectangular vertical-place sign. This, most likely indicates where Venus
will arise from a hole in the east. The Nose is significant as it represents dual orifices or holes. The
Curved Lines (light blue)) are, as previously stated, the signs for a flow (of water. The (pink) ThickLips of the Mouth provide the Double Lines, unseen, around the Mouth (the water-source) and the
(black) male-spirit in the darkness sign within it. Around the orifices of the Ears are S shaped
signs that mean, taken downwards and upwards.
The Eyes of the Sun,
Venus,
At rest,
Here,
to the west,a Hole.
Photograph by Kevin Montague.,courtesy and
Indiana University Art Museum; colored
highlights drawn by author
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Taken upwards
and downwards
Here,
from
the hole
in the east
to a
a vertical place
Taken upwards
and downwards
The male-spirit,
unseen,
within,
the water source.
Illustration 7: Photograph by Kevin Montague.,courtesy
and Indiana University Art Museum; colored
highlights drawn by author
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From the side the Back of the Figure seems almost hunchbacked. This seems to have been caused
by its having been molded in Form of a Large Vessel, a container. Within the Vessel are the (blue-
green) signs forflowing -on the sides (positional). There is also, lower right, the outline of the male-
spiritsign. The male-spirit, in the flow, on the side of the earth-female.
The Back is divided by the Spine in the Form of a Large Finger (tan) pointing a direction, upward,toward the Mouth (a water-source) of the vessel. The Mouth of the Vessel is the flat Straight Line
that indicates a surface. Thus the Finger just reaches the surface but does not cross through it. On
the surface is the Figure's Head in the Form of a large Egg, the great one, (relative Size) unborn.
The Ears from this vantage point become the Rectangular place signs with Slanted Sides (red) for,
places on the sides (left and right or east and west). The great unborn on the sides of the earth-
female, in the east and west.
Below the vessel on the left side, the buttock (blue) is in the Form of a Large Water-drop. The
meaning of this sign may simply be waterbut more likely has some additional meaning such as thegreat water-particle. The buttock (brown) on the right along with the Leg forms the sign for, a long
journey. The Stance of the Leg/Foot combination is not one of walking but rather one of inactivity
Illustration 8: Earth-Female, Her Back
Photograph by Kevin Montague.,courtesy and Indiana
University Art Museum; colored highlights drawn by author
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Kneeling, Sitting. This Stance means waiting or awaiting. The Toes on the Foot appear to be the
Zig-zag sign for water. The meaning of this sequence seems to be one ofawaiting a long watery
journey.
The Shoulders of the figure were composed as the Heads of two Birds (blue) joined together (as
one) at their (yellow) Bills (their Mouths, the water source). The Rectangular Bills also stand for
the sign for aplace.
The Great Vessel,
The great earth,
within the flow,
on her side,
the male spirit.
Below,
at the
bottom
awaiting the
long watery
journey
----------.
Here,
at the surface,
The Great Egg,The great unborn,
the one
at the
water source,
The place
The flights,
from
The Vessel Mouth,
the water source,
united as one,
in the
east and west.
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In the above illustration we can see how the Forms were carefully arranged to fit within or create
the overall composition of the figure.
1. The Vessel, the container , the earth2. The location, the great one, unborn (a leader) positionally at the water source (the Mouth of
the vessel).
3. Awaiting the long journey or walk
4. A Water-drop. Water droplets or particles of water?)
5. Theflights from the vessel, the earth (left and rightor east and west)
6. Same, plus the yellow Rectangle, the place ofand positionally the Bird's Beaks are their
Mouths meaning a water source. The place of the water source.
7. A place on the side (of the earth)
8. (same)
Illustration 9: Arrangement of Forms
Photograph by Kevin Montague.,courtesy and Indiana
University Art Museum; colored highlights drawn by author
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Here we see the Form of a (green) Large Tadpole (a changeling) whose Head is in the Lines or signs
for flowing (water). The Tadpole is compounded from the signs that make up its Head (blue) (male-
spirit), the (blue) Upper Arm (a place) and the (green) fore-Arm (a warrior), and the (green) Hand
(of the Sun, the Steward). Next to the Elbow is the Triangular (brown), on the side of the earth-
female sign. On the right side of the upper Arm are the (green) on the side and two (places) signs.
The Four Fingers represent the Rectangularplaces in the Four Directions or every direction,
everywhere. The Hand is on the Knees which Form the signs for the Breasts of the earththe hills.
The Leg and Foot in the Sitting Position or Stance is that ofwaiting. A Bump on the Foot is the Egg
Form meaning the unborn. The Toes are signs but these cannot be discerned from the photograph.
The Great Tadpole,
The great changeling.
in the flowing water,
the places on the side,
The great male-spirit ,
The place
The Arm, The Hand,
The warrior, the steward
Illustration 10: Right Side View of Vessel
Photograph by Kevin
Montague.,courtesy and Indiana
University Art Museum; colored
highlights drawn by author
Illustration 11: The Tadpole
Photograph by Kevin
Montague.,courtesy and Indiana
University Art Museum; colored
highlights drawn by author
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on the side
of the earth-female,
waiting,
everywhere,
on the hillsides,
the unborn.
The Overall Form made by the Throat, Shoulder, Arm, and Hand appears to be that of a Horned
Serpent (the combined Form of the blue and green outlines). This total shape would represent a
stream of waterwith the Curved Line (the Horn) made by the front of the Bird and Figure's Throat
representing the sign for arising - on the side (the Angle at the back of its head) on the arising sign.This Form is compound and can be further broken down into a Tadpole (a changeling) and further
into a male-spiritsign (the Head of the Tadpole). Alongside the Tadpole imagery are three vertical
signs (green) that are on the side of the Breast, the hill. The uppermost sign is the rectangle, place
sign, Next the Square sign for a house or domain, and then the Rounded male-spirit sign based on
the glans penis. The Serpent's Horn is the Imagery of a Bird (dark blue) appearing to be Sitting
(waiting) as if on a Nest (the Nest is the sign for a birth-place) The Inverse of the Bird may also
represent a Foot meaning a walk or journey. The Right Slanted Angle is the gesture sign for
stopped. The Body and Tail of the Tadpole is composed of the Arm (the warrior) and Hand (the
Hand of the Sun, the steward of the Sun). Positioned on the Hand is the Form of an Egg indicating it
is the warrior, the Sun-priest that is yet unborn. The Fingers of the Hand may representRectangular,place signs and levels on the Knee, the hillside. The meaning of the Five Fingers may
represent thefour directions around a center. This is often represented by a sign that is arranged the
Illustration 10: Left Side Vessel
Photograph by Kevin Montague.,courtesy and
Indiana University Art Museum; colored
highlights drawn by author
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same as the number five found on a pair of dice. The details of the signs that make up the Foot
cannot be determined from this photograph.
The Mouth (red) is the V shaped sign for a water-source from which theflightof the male-spirit
takes place.
The Eye (of the Sun, positional, Venus) is not seen as it is still just at the surface or slightly beneath
the surface. We are directed, by the Finger, to the holes at the Ear (an orifice on the side of the Face
of the Earth).
The Ear of the Figure (yellow) is formed by the upper side sign and within it are two hole (black)
signs with a Curved (red) sign which means, held as in a bowl, perhaps indicating a pool filled by
the flow of water from a spring). We can see that the Mouth (outlined in red, the V shaped sign
for an opening) meaning a water-source which has the (blue)Lines forflowing beneath it.
The Great Horned Serpent,The great arising stream,
The Arm, The Hand,
The warrior, the steward
of the
Sun,
The Unborn,
The journey,
Stopped.
Awaiting,
Flight.
The five places,
The center,
On the hill.
(signs made by Toe Imagery, unknown)
On the side,of
The earth-female,
The male-spirit
places ,
On the side,
Earth-female
Her great
flowing water
The place,
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The house,
of
The male-spirit.
On the side of the Breast,
The hillside.
Here,
At the Ear,
On the upper -side
The holes,
Held
as in
a bowl.
In this paper we have seen how the clay was molded and incised to create a ceramic that representedan earthen vessel that represented Earth-female. The vessel was composed through use of Gesture
signs, Form, and Imagery creating a three dimensional cosmological message All the signs in this
paper have been documented or explained in previous papers. The composition's message relies
heavily on metaphor to present its meaning and may have been a poem or a song in the original
language. It is interesting to note that although the subject is one of birth it was not represented as a
vaginal birth (no signs or details in the genital area). The emphasis was on the Mouth (the water
source) as the place of birth or re-birth because of the function of water as a carrier of the spirits, of
the deceased, to the earth's surface and on to the sky.
The idea of the spirits of the deceased following water and exiting from springs was not limited to
the Olmec area. Here is an excerpt from a paper about the Cherokee that mentions a similar belief1.
Doublehead's Cave, known today as Hind's and Hine's Cave, is the placewhere people entered the underworld, a Cherokee ossuary. Like water, thebodies of the dead entered the cave. Their spirits followed the water inside andresurfaced at Doublehead's spring, known today as Mill Springs. Mills Springs,is located at Monticello, Kentucky.
1 http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~brockfamily/YahooFalls-byKTankersley.html
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