grandmother earth is pregnant

8/7/2019 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


8/17

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



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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


Illustration 11: The Tadpole

Photograph by Kevin

Montague.,courtesy and Indiana

University Art Museum; colored



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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



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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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grandmother earth is pregnant

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