Bright Polar Nights 8cm Hand Painted Glass Ornament Designed by Artist Jeffrey Red George

“Bright Polar Nights” 8cm Hand Painted Glass Ornament Designed by Artist Jeffrey Red George   Authentic Indigenous Art Artist: Jeffrey Red George Cultural Background: Ojibway   In Indigenous cultures of the Arctic, the period of the “bright polar nights”—more commonly known as the polar night—is a time of significant cultural and spiritual meaning, deeply intertwined with community, storytelling, and the anticipation of the sun’s return. The polar night is the period during winter when the sun remains below the horizon for over 24 hours, but it is not a time of total darkness; there are hours of twilight, the moon, stars, and the vibrant display of the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights). The Polar Night Itself (The Period of Darkness): Community and Storytelling: The long dark days encourage communities to gather indoors, fostering a strong sense of togetherness. This time is traditionally used for sharing stories, myths, and legends, which are essential for passing on cultural knowledge, history, and survival skills to younger generations. Introspection and Renewal: The darkness is often viewed as a period of rest for the natural world and a time for people to replenish their spirits and engage in self-reflection. It is seen as a necessary phase of withdrawal that precedes the renewal of spring. A Map and Clock: The night sky, with its bright stars and constellations, served as a crucial map, calendar, and clock for the people, guiding their practical endeavour like hunting, fishing, and seasonal movements. The Aurora Borealis (The Brightness in the Night): The Aurora Borealis, a prominent feature of the polar night, holds diverse and powerful meanings across different Indigenous groups: Spirits of Ancestors: Many North American Indigenous communities, including the Cree and some Inuit tribes, believe the Northern Lights are the spirits of their departed ancestors or loved ones dancing in the sky. They are seen as a way for the spirits to communicate with the living. Omens and Respect: For some groups like the Sámi in Scandinavia, the lights were historically to be respected and feared as they were considered powerful spirits of the dead. Certain taboos existed, such as not whistling at them, for fear of being carried away or harmed. Guidance and Protection: Other beliefs see the lights as a source of guidance, protecting travelers during the dark winter months and guiding the souls of the departed to the next world. Celestial Games: Some Inuit in Greenland believed the lights were the spirits of the dead playing a ball game with a walrus skull (or vice versa in other communities). The Return of the Sun: The end of the polar night and the sun’s eventual return is a moment of great celebration, hope, and new beginnings across circumpolar cultures. This event is often marked by: Ceremonies and Festivals: The winter solstice and the sun’s reappearance are celebrated with specific community gatherings, ceremonies, songs, and traditional foods. Symbolism of Hope: The return of light symbolizes hope, the promise of new life, and the continuity of the natural cycles of the earth. Practical Markers: The appearance of certain stars (like the Aagjuuk asterism for the Inuit) around the winter solstice helped predict the sun’s return, signaling the time for communities to resume longer journeys and prepare for spring activities. These glass ornaments are hand painted and are based on the artist’s original authentic indigenous art. They are 8 cm (3.15 in) in diameter and come in a box showcasing the image. Individually boxed for protection. The artist’s biography on the back of the box. The indigenous artist’s name, tribal affiliation, and title of the design appear on the box.   Artist Jeffrey Red George ’s beautiful artwork can be found in many products, such as Art Cards, Art Prints, Mugs, Journals, Bags and more!   AUTHENTIC INDIGENOUS PRODUCT: The artist or copyright holder has been paid a royalty for the sale of this product. MATERIALS: Glass, Paint, Metal DIMENSIONS: Item Size: 8 x 8 x 8 cm (3.15″ x 3.15″ x 3.15″) Item Weight: 80g Box Size: 10 x 9.5 x 10.5 cm Box Weight: 96g DELIVERY: Items in stock will be shipped as soon as possible Backordered Items may take 3 – 4 weeks to ship out Designed in Canada For more information about Indigenous Artist Jeffrey Red George     A Great way to display support for Indigenous Art!