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Artist: Troy Roberts
Tribal affiliation: Kwakiutl
As in all cultures, Sun stands as a symbol of life and creative power. The reverse side of the munificence is its scorching, destructive potential. Sun is often acting as a benevolent spirit guide and is usually depicted as masculine in nature.
Among the Nuu-chah-nulth people, Sun and Moon, who are married, represent the highest powers. This is one of the rare instances where Sun is personified as female. In the art, Sun is characterized by a round face with any number of surrounding rays, or at least the suggestion of rays. On occasion, artists give the sun the face of a human, Eagle, or Raven.
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