20" Haisla Frog Panel

Availability: In stock (1)

Frogs are commonly represented in Northwest Coast wood carvings and jewellery. They are identified by their flat nose, broad toothless mouth, large eyes, prominent lips, webbed feet, and projecting tongue.  The frog is a primary clan crest in Native society.  Frog clan members ofter wear jewelry or tattoos to show their identity.  Frogs are carved on the top of totem poles to warn of impending danger.  They are also carved on the base to give stability to keep the pole from falling over.  They are sometimes depicted touching tongues with another figure representing the sharing of knowledge.  When the frog depicted coming out of another eyes or mouth it also represents transfer of knowledge or spiritual communication.

Frogs represent communication and adaptability.  They live on land and in the water, similarly they travel and communicate between this world and the spirit world.  They are spirit helpers to shamans.  They also symbolize wealth and abundance.   Frogs announce the end of winter and the beginning of spring. 

In Haida stories Frog is one of Raven’s wives.  The Tsimshian believe the frog is the only child of mother earth.

Haisla artist's bio available with purchase.