Jesus Beadwork

[Suzizila]

I was just wondering how common is it today that people express their religious faith in beads? Not too long ago, I came across a beautiful bag with Jesus walking on water. (Unfortunately, the reserve on this bag was out of my range.)

I've had designs going through my head based on Christian symbols. A few years ago, I made a pair of moccs for a Jesuit friend of mine, but the designs I used came from a beaded altar cloth design (the mountain with a cross on top).
I interpreted that as Jesus going to a mountain top to pray.

Has anybody ever seen any other symbols (ex. the fish-swimming against the current) in beadwork? What do you all think about this?

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no but i know somebody who is gonna have a jesus's face on his cape hes a fancy dancer and it looks pretty nice

[storm]

Do you only mean christian symbols? Often our Native American Church beadwork has religious symbols. It is not all just bands of color, but you will see water birds, peyotes, fire, rolled smokes, crescent moons, etc..most often you will see this in silverwork but lots of beadwork too.

[WocusWoman]

If having christian symbols on your regalia is what you want; then do it. The best regalia I've seen has designs that are personal to the wearer; whether they be family or tribal designs. I have deer foot prints on one of my dresses because, I ate so much deermeat growing up, I thought I'd die. Of course living so far from home now, makes me homesick for deermeat!

[Azhe'ni]

I don't believe in mixing the two. But if someone else does then go ahead.

[Suzizila]

blackfoothoney, I would love to see that cape when it is finished.

Something I didn't add in my first post is that I came across a picture of a couple of dancers, both having crosses in their beadwork and, I believe, in applique on a jingle dress. I don't remember if there were any in applique on the other gal's dress.

http://www.powwows.com/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/4648/password//sort/1/cat/521/page/1

I can understand, with the history of Christians and their role in assimilation, that some might object to mixing the two in beadwork. In my research, I believe that the cross was originally seen as a symbol of power. I think I remember seeing a shirt which had holes punched in it to form a cross.

Thanks for the comments. I'm open to more comments. This is just something I was thinking of doing.

[Azhe'ni]

blackfoothoney, I would love to see that cape when it is finished.

Something I didn't add in my first post is that I came across a picture of a couple of dancers, both having crosses in their beadwork and, I believe, in applique on a jingle dress. I don't remember if there were any in applique on the other gal's dress.

I can understand, with the history of Christians and their role in assimilation, that some might object to mixing the two in beadwork. In my research, I believe that the cross was originally seen as a symbol of power. I think I remember seeing a shirt which had holes punched in it to form a cross.

Thanks for the comments. I'm open to more comments. This is just something I was thinking of doing.

Cuz that's my opinion. I don't believe you should mix the two cultures. If some people consider church one. I don't know. I don't go.

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sure i can ask that person but its gonna take some time cuz hes tryna make it look perfect but i can ask him

[Blackbear]

the cross, and the heart were two symbols that the indian had'nt seen before whites came. But they are two of the symbols you see most put into our regalia. But even before many were christianized they used them because they liked the way they looked. On the mixing of the two, my opinion ... well some things don't go together, like I would'nt mix NAC with Christianity.

[Suzizila]

I wasn't thinking about mixing Christianity and the NAC. They are two different things. My original thing was just use of the cross and maybe the fish in some beadwork. I found a design in one of my beading books which I may modify and use in a beaded set. It's nothing too complex, but just different.

[OLChemist]

I've seen a fair amount of beadwork with Christian symbols. My grandpa's sister had a beaded Bible cover. Some priests/preachers have vestments with Christian themed Native beadwork. And some churches have beaded altar clothes. I've even run across beaded crosses for sale at powwows.

As far as dance clothes go... I've seen a number of outfits that have crosses, doves, and sacred hearts. There is a lady who dances northern buckskin that has a gorgeous orange, red, yellow, and white yoke with doves and crosses. Some people have hair ties, purses, and such with Christian symbols.

[Blackbear]

yeah I've seen that one OL.. I think it's posted in the gallery as a matter of fact! Suzilla.. go for it..

[Suzizila]

I've seen a fair amount of beadwork with Christian symbols. My grandpa's sister had a beaded Bible cover. Some priests/preachers have vestments with Christian themed Native beadwork. And some churches have beaded altar clothes. I've even run across beaded crosses for sale at powwows.

As far as dance clothes go... I've seen a number of outfits that have crosses, doves, and sacred hearts. There is a lady who dances northern buckskin that has a gorgeous orange, red, yellow, and white yoke with doves and crosses. Some people have hair ties, purses, and such with Christian symbols.

It's funny that you should mention the sacred hearts as they were in my mind too.

As for the vestments, I saw beaded stoles and beaded bishop's miters (the hats) while working at a school on the Pine Ridge Rez. The stoles were done on a bead loom....almost like suspenders, but a little bit longer.

Is the dress mentioned above the same one that is in one of the Chris Robert books (vol 2 I think)? That dress looks like it has some quill work on it as well.

Were those crosses the ones that Paul had a question about making? If they are the ones made either with narrow, thick leather, or dowel sticks, I have made those. In fact, I am in the middle of beading a medium sized dowel stick cross for a friend's birthday present.

Everybody.....thanks for your comments. I'm open to more comments though. Keep them coming. :rainbw:

[OLChemist]

I've seen the kind you're talking about, I think. The gourd stitched ones? Over the years I've seen a couple different kinds.

There a couple in a gallery in Albq. about 6-7 years ago that were done by artist Gayle Yazzie -- if I recall correctly. They had loom work strips in 15 hex's, set in a silver frame. The beadwork was supported by a form that shaped it a little like a cabochon (sp?). The work was set in a gallery wire bezel which was smooth and tight, which is a real trick on a corner. Very unusual pieces. Real sweet work.

Then I was at a baptism a few years back. The minister was a real crunchy granola type and he had this huge bead wrapped cross. Just colored bands but different from the usual.

[Yelloweyes]

I think you should go for it also. It is your outfit and it will mean even more to you. I've seen alot of outfits and it is nice to see that they are not all the same. I've seen where someone wins a dance contest and the next few weeks you see several other outfits the same. Represent your tribe, represent your family and represent yourself it's all great. Just enjoy the dance.