Adelitas Inspiring Princess Leia

Today I learned about the Adelitas - female soldiers of the Mexican revolution, on whom George Lucas claims to have based Princess Leia. I can see it.

Original painting, prints, and merch available via shop link above or through Fine Art America.

The name Adelita came from a popular song, and grew to be applied to the soldaderas of the Mexican Revolution, who fought against government forces with the rebel army.

According to Wikipedia, Adelita "came to be an archetype of a woman warrior in Mexico, and a symbol of action and inspiration. Additionally, the name is used to refer to any woman who struggles and fights for her rights."

The Adelita in my painting is based on this historical photograph. (Source) I was drawn to the woman in the lower left hand corner.

A Public Radio International story from 2016 backs up the Princess Leia - Adelita connection, noting that "in 2002, Lucas told Time magazine that he was “working very hard to create something different that wasn't fashion.” Inspiration came, as Lucas put it, from a "turn-of-the-century Mexico" and “kind of Southwestern Pancho Villa woman revolutionary look.”"

Comments

Asherah

An inscription from Khirbet El-Qôm (near Jerusalem) dated to the 700s BCE and translated by archaeologist Judith Hadley reads, "Uriyahu the Rich wrote it. Blessed be Uriyahu by Yahweh for from his enemies by his Asherah he has saved him by Oniyahu by his Asherah and by his A[she]rah.” ( Source ) Asherah was the Great Goddess of the Ancient Near East. From this inscription and other evidence, it is surmised that Yahweh, the God of the Jews, once had a wife - Asherah. Asherah was also sometimes known as Astarte and was associated with lions and the planet Venus, like her relative, Ishtar/Inanna. Asherah's symbol was the tree of life, and her worship involved sacred groves and asherah poles. Asherah original painting available through Saatchi Art . Stickers, prints, and other merch available in shop or through RedBubble or Fine Art America. All of the Asherahs in my painting are based on figurines housed in the Isra...

Dewi Danu

Dewi Danu is a Balinese water, lake and river Goddess. The form of Hinduism practiced in Bali is also called Agama Tirta, or religion of the water ( source ). The "floating temple" of Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, on the western shore of Lake Bratan, is dedicated to Dewi Danu ( source ). Built in 1633, the temple is used for offerings and ceremonies dedicated to the Goddess, due to the importance of Lake Bratan as a main source of irrigation in central Bali ( source ). In Bali, besides supporting irrigated agriculture, holy water also holds power that can "cleanse spiritual impurities, fend off evil forces, and render the recipient immune to the attacks of negative or demonic forces." "In Indonesian Hindu Dharma, the 4 elements of Nature, or panchamahabhuta (Earth, Water, Fire, Air) are used in all religious rituals. Out of those, Water is the building block of life and of all living beings that are at the mercy of [the] God[dess]" ( source ). Dewi Danu orig...

Jowangsin

Jowangsin is a Korean Goddess of fire and the hearth. An offering to Jowangsin in the form of a bowl of fresh water would be placed on an altar above the hearth. Jowangsin had rules for the kitchen. Do not curse while in the hearth. Do not sit on the hearth. Do not place your feet on the hearth. Maintain the cleanliness of the kitchen. You may worship other deities in the kitchen. ( source ) Throw your muddy shoes inside or put them on the hearth, and you will experience her vengeance. She was believed to keep track of household activities and communicate with the heavens. Jowangsin helping with the cooking in a traditional Korean kitchen, circa 1950. Original painting, prints, and merch available in shop or via Fine Art America or Saatchi Art . Left: Women in a kitchen in Korea in 1950. Right: An example of a traditional kitchen in hanok (traditional Korean-style homes) during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). [National Archives of Korea, N...

Aine, Goddess of Midsummer

Aine is an Irish goddess of sovereignty, midsummer, and the sun. In ancient times, only an unblemished man could be king. A king tried to rape Aine. After that, he was no longer king, because she bit off his ear. Aine original painting on recycled cedar shingle available through Saatchi Art . Prints and other merch available in shop or through Fine Art America .

Medusa

When you think of Medusa, you probably think of snake hair. But, do you know why she has snake hair? Misogyny and rape culture. Medusa was raped by Poseidon in Athena's temple. As punishment, Athena gave Medusa snake hair. This made Medusa an exciting prize for would be heroes, so, in the aftermath of her rape, she was hunted by trophy-seekers. Perseus was the one to finally take her head. As a prize, he was reward with Pegasus, a flying horse who sprang from Medusa's severed neck, her rape baby with Poseidon. Thanks, Greek mythology. Original painting on recycled cedar shingle. More on Medusa: Vice News Prospect Magazine Wikipedia

Unelanuhi, Cherokee Sun Goddess

In Cherokee lands, Unelanuhi is the sun. Her brother is the moon. Unelanuhi didn't pay much attention to humans until she noticed that they never looked directly at her and smiled, like they did for her brother. She was jealous so she decided to punish the humans with intense heat. The spirit people were worried about the humans, and advised killing Unelanuhi. A human transformed into a rattlesnake and waited for Unelanuhi at her daughter's home, where she spends each night. Ready to kill Unelanuhi, the daughter was somehow killed instead. The daughter became a cardinal, but mom was not happy. She cried until almost the entire land was covered in her tears. The Cherokee gathered on the highest mountains, their villages submerged below. They danced their best dances and they drummed their best songs. Unelanuhi finally noticed they weren't so terrible. Since then, she shines more moderately, so humanity will not be burnt. When she remembers her grief, it still sometimes rains...

Echoing Multiverse

Search This Blog