Kateri Q. Sanchez: Black Lip Shell, 3 Maidens

San-chez These maidens exude an aura of power and ancient knowledge, their stoic expressions hinting at secrets long forgotten. The symbolism of the black lip shell suggests a connection to the underworld or unknown realms beyond our comprehension, while the mother-of-pearl faces seem to hold within them the essence of forgotten wisdom. Together, these maidens create a scene both beautiful and foreboding, a reminder of forces far greater than ourselves that linger just beyond the edges of our understanding. Corn Maiden (A:dow e:washdok'i): In the Zuni Pueblo the three stages of woman are recognized as: Maiden, symbolizing potential Mother, the life giver Grandmother, the wise elder Usually the maiden fetish will be emerging from corn (the corn maiden) or she will have whorls of hair on the side of her head, signifying that she has not had a child. The mother fetish also can be emerging from the corn (the corn mother) and she will have children with her or look pregnant. The grandmoth