The Zuni People (A:shiwi) believe human ancestors emerged onto Earth after passing through the Levels of Emergence, a series of four wet and chaotic underworlds. When they finally surfaced on dry earth there were already powerful animals living here. These animals preyed upon the People, since they were naked and defenseless. They cried out to the Creator for help. Hearing these cries, Creator dispatched the heroic War Twins armed with lighting bolts. The War Twins struck the animals with these lighting bolts and turned the creatures to stone. Their hearts however were left beating in ossified bodies. These creatures were then entrusted with assisting humans on their journey. The essence of these animals can be represented by the heartline feature or breath path extending down from the mouth and into the chest. Heartlines are not always inlaid stone or shell either. They can simply be the natural striations in the rock as seen in Benina Kallestewa's gorgeous onyx Bear. Eyes are from cultured opal inlays. About 1 3/4" long, 1 1/8" wide and 1 1/4" tall.
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