Turtle and Frog Friends

We have enjoyed seeing the photos and videos on social media of one species of animals becoming friends with another species of animals, and of one species taking a ride on another.  These two reptile friends remind us of those posts and were carved by Ed Lementino from alabaster.  He inlaid turquoise eyes, dots for the frog's nose, and eight dots on the turquoise shell.  The offering bundle is turquoise, red coral branches, and heishi.  "EL" is engraved on the bottom.  More about frogs and turtles below.

Size: 1.375" H x 2.5" L x 1.25" W

Frogs begin life in the water as tadpoles, grow legs and are able to be on land or lily pads.  They go through a profound transition and are related to water and land.  Female frogs lay many eggs at once and are associated with fertility.  The frogs are known to sing before the rains come in Zuni Pueblo.  During droughts people will bury frog carvings in the Earth to invite the rain to come.

Turtles have their own homes on their backs which means that wherever they are, they are home.  They are associated with safety.  When attacked they retreat into their shells, although some turtles have strong enough mouths to snap a finger.  For most Native American nations in North America, turtles represent Mother Earth.  Every turtle shell has 13 sections on top which some Native Americans say represent the 13 moons of each year.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.