i had to move into the southwest to get hip to this:
it’s probably only the 2nd kokopelli piece i’ve ever been asked to design + tattoo – i loved this piece for the opportunity to do a lot of detail and color in a fun piece.
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(pronounced “Coke-a-pellie”)
meaning (roughly) wooden-backed;
most of the familiar depictions of
Kokopelli are copied from Hopi art,
which in turn is derived from ancient Anasazi glyphs.
Ko-ko-pel-li (kô kô pel´ lê)
n. {der. Hopi “kokopilau” (koko = wood, pilau = hump)}
the humpbacked Flute Player, mythical Hopi symbol of fertility,
replenishment, music, dance, and mischief.
Known as a fertility god, prankster, healer and story teller, Kokopelli has been a source of wonder throughout the country for centuries. Kokopelli embodies the true American Southwest, and dates back over 3,000 years ago, when the first petroglyphs were carved. Although his true origins are unknown, this traveling, flute-playing Casanova is a sacred figure to many Southwestern Native Americans. Carvings of this hunch-backed flute-playing figure have been found painted and carved into rock walls and boulders throughout the Southwest.
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learn more here.
