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Jen Delyth

Celtic Art Studio

Official Site of Welsh Artist

SYMBOLS

Cranes of Manannan - Arthur's Knot

Cranes of Manannan - Arthur's Knot
Cranes of Manannan - Herons and cranes are long-legged wading birds, usually associated with willow trees and water, as mysterious as the fringed marshes along which they dwell. Manannan, the Irish Sea God - Manawyddan ap Llyr for the Welsh - makes his shaman crane bag from the skin of a crane that was once a young woman. This Druid's bag holds otherworldy treasures - spiritual power objects such as stones and sticks for divination, herbs and plants for healing, and giving wisdom, nets and strings for spirit traps. When the sea is full, its treasures are visible; when the fierce sea is in ebb, the crane bag is empty.
To represent the magical source, the Cranes are intertwined around an ancient Welsh stone carving design, of "key patterns" which represent the labyrinth journey of life, the path leading into the center and out again.


Original Design & Text by Jen Delyth © 2000

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