Beaded salamander

Description:	The Huichol are a group of people that live in the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain region of Mexico and have a unique tradition of adorning objects with brightly colored beads. Many creations resemble people, traditional symbols and animals. Each design is called a mandala and signifies a vision of another dimension. Ceremonies to honor the Huichol spirits include beautiful offerings made from beads and yarn. From childhood, one learns how to communicate with the spirit world through symbols and rituals. Yarn paintings in particular express Huichol beliefs through symbols. The iguana, or salamander, is a request for rain. Yarn paintings are made by impressing yarn into a board covered in beeswax. Beaded objects, like this, use the same technique with beads. Such objects are a more secular expression of Huichol ideas.
Source:	http://www.digitalindy.org/cdm/ref/collection/tcm/id/714
Collection:	The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
Rights:	https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/;
Copyright:	Creative Commons (CC By-SA 3.0);
Geography:	Mexico
Subjects:	Mexico Folklore -- Mexico Huichol Indians Huichol Indians -- Religion Huichol mythology

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