Haida Argillite Raven Pendant
Carved by Haida artist Ernest Swanson. Argillite Raven with abalone inlaid in the eyes and on the bale. It's set in a silver bezel. The back is carved with the image of mouse woman.
Raven is the Haida trickster / transformer. He placed the sun, moon and stars in the sky. He discovered humans in a seashell and placed them in villages on Haida Gwaii and along the rivers on the mainland. He provided them with food and gave them fire to cook with and to warm their houses. He always acted out of self interest but inadvertently benefitted people and all life.
Mouse Woman is an important supernatural being in Haida myth stories. She appears often as a helper or advisor to more central characters. She may help them to respectfully cross boundaries between different spirit realms. Although she's small and unobtrusive, she's powerful.
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