Flowers
Nature is a beautiful and necessary part of life on Earth that people do not always take time to appreciate. The Ojibwe tribe is one group that has developed a special connection to nature that is now integral part of their spirituality. Flowers, though appearing simple, represent an important part of life.
Delia Bebonang who created this box is intent on preserving her peoples traditions and beliefs by continuing the art of making quill boxes. She frequently uses floral designs and images of animals to decorate. The flowers on this box as simple designs that look like nothing more than what they are; flowers. However, these two blue four petaled flowers hold a much more colorful meaning. As you will learn in the colors section, each of these colors are tied to the medicine wheel and living relatives of the spiritual world. For example, yellow is Giizis (Grandfather Sun) and green is Skkaakaamiwe (Mother Earth), both who are shown on the medicine wheel in respect to their sacred cardinal directions.
Even simple designs that are seen by basket consumers as a cute decoration, are worth more than money in the eyes of the Anishnabec.