This image represents more than just a creation myth. It represents the full cycle of life...birth, life, death and reincarnation. It is the "Tree of Life". The four streams of water carry the life force to the four corners of th earth. The egg is life and rebirth (red represents the life force). The wheat and rabbits represent fertility. The woman represents The Mother and the hidden life force. Around her neck she is wearing a lightning bolt which represents the flash of inspiration, the life power that decends down the Kabalistic Tree of Life. In her right hand she holds a pyramid which represents the three fold principal of creation. In her left the symbol of eternity or eternal life. The raven's head represents the death of the physical body. The smoke coming from the raven's beak (which wraps around the whole picture) represents the path follwed at death. Growing out of The Mother are palm leaves which represent the after life (green reps. growth and decay). The twelve fruits (eggs) growing from the palm leaves represent the twelve signs of the zodiac and are hinting at reincarnation as they will eventually ripen, fall to the ground then begin to grow again. The serpent wrapped around her symbolizes wisdom. When biting it's tail is represents the law of endless transformation and energy descending into manifestation. Above the palm leaves is a cresent symbolizng the soul, which is what's subject to all these laws. This was yet another "old project", this time from Concept Development. The only direction my instructor gave us was to start from an egg and to translate what it means into visual form.
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