Made it at last and it was staring me in the face all the time!
It’s said that at harvest time the last few stalks of corn would be made into a Dolly, a place of rest for the Corn spirit to ensure that the next harvest would be a good one. Since man’s earliest days it was believed that various deities were in command of the cycles and fruitfulness of the crops and so ever since hunter gatherers settled to cultivate the land they have been ceremonies to honour them. Look at the root of the word ceremony – we grow cereals, named for the Roman Goddess of the harvest, Ceres. Other deities include Demeter, the Earth Goddess ( my personal favourite) and Isis, the Egyptian Goddess of fertility.
In the wake of science, traditions are largely forgotten, but corn Dollies are still seen as a symbol of fertility. They are sometimes given to a couple on their marriage or handfasting, as a christening or new home gift. This is a modern take on the traditional Corn Dolly and made by Margaret Sweetland here in Devon, she also makes more traditional ones in a range of lovely knot shapes. She does talks and demonstrations to groups like the Women’s Institute, making sure the skills stay alive.
To join in visit http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2012/12/14/photo-challenge-delicate/
It´s really great to see a contribution to this weeks photo challenge that isn´t flowers or butterflies. They are really fantastic and very delicate. And I love that you didn´t just post the picture, but also tell the story of the tradition.
intricate delicate spirals, living shapes, they could easily contain a goddess! beautiful thank you gilly
The first photo reminds me of the double helix DNA structure….and you can’t get more dekicate than that. Great post!
This is really lovely and you have spurred me on to find a photo myself! Thanks Gilly, you have given me some ideas!
I am so glad to have learned something about your photos. I had seen this art form in a few places but did not know what is was called. Thanks for the information. You made a good delicate choice for the challenge.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Wow, wonderful!
These are exquisite. A lot of work I bet.
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Wow! I have never seen anything like this!
What wonderful work. I once had to weave a basket and it was a sorry mishapen thing. I dread to think what my corn dollies would look like!
What a unique idea… Love this.
Love the delicate sea horse!
Bet it takes a lot of hard work, meticulousness and creativity to finish it. Awesome submission, Gilly. I especially love your “ado”.
Unbelieveably intricate handwork. Lovely to see, Gilly.
She’s raised corn dollies to an art form!
What I’ve seen before has been interesting. But these are — beautiful.
these are wonderful Gilly…she really is very creative
I had picked up some Christmas ornaments in Mexico while on vacation that were made like this. Beautiful handcrafted work …!!!!