Perhaps you are old enough to remember the popularity of the yarn weavings known as God's eyes or Ojo de Dios. Colorful wools are woven around two sticks that are crisscrossed over one another creating a series of vivid diamond shapes. For a while they were a real trend as a craft item in the United States and Canada (think 1970s). The God's eye is actually considered a magical object and an item for ritual use in Northwestern Mexico. It is part of the culture of the Huichol people of Jalisco and Nayarit and their God's eyes are also considered "Sikuli" which translates as "the power to see and understand things unknown".
When a baby is born the child's father weaves a central eye around the crossed sticks as a starting point for the weaving and this serves as symbolic protection for the child until he reaches the age of one. After the child's first birthday another color structure is added with additional wool. This continues at each birthday until the child reaches the age of five.
The four points of the weaving represent the traditional elements of earth, fire, air and water. The Ojo, when created, is equivalent to a prayer for God that his eyes will protect the child and watch over him. It is an object created to bring good fortune into that person's life.
The ways of the Huicol people have not changed substantially in centuries and visitors to their area frequently note their sense of community and shared responsibility as guardians of the land. The people of this part of Mexico have many creator and nature deities and believe themselves to be reflections of God. Because they live in a remote mountainous region they have managed to hold onto many of their traditions in the face of outside influences. This has been noticeably changing and the Huicol are fighting to hold onto their traditional beliefs while integrating the modern advances of the world outside their territories.
Most God's eyes sold in Mexican markets are not authentic but sold as novelties to foreign tourists. They encapsulate ideas of protection, good health and luck and a deep connection to the land - all good things to come away with on your next adventure in Mexico!
When a baby is born the child's father weaves a central eye around the crossed sticks as a starting point for the weaving and this serves as symbolic protection for the child until he reaches the age of one. After the child's first birthday another color structure is added with additional wool. This continues at each birthday until the child reaches the age of five.
The four points of the weaving represent the traditional elements of earth, fire, air and water. The Ojo, when created, is equivalent to a prayer for God that his eyes will protect the child and watch over him. It is an object created to bring good fortune into that person's life.
The ways of the Huicol people have not changed substantially in centuries and visitors to their area frequently note their sense of community and shared responsibility as guardians of the land. The people of this part of Mexico have many creator and nature deities and believe themselves to be reflections of God. Because they live in a remote mountainous region they have managed to hold onto many of their traditions in the face of outside influences. This has been noticeably changing and the Huicol are fighting to hold onto their traditional beliefs while integrating the modern advances of the world outside their territories.
Most God's eyes sold in Mexican markets are not authentic but sold as novelties to foreign tourists. They encapsulate ideas of protection, good health and luck and a deep connection to the land - all good things to come away with on your next adventure in Mexico!
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