Vision of the Evening Star
Bolo tie product information
Title: Nigoobii-anang Izhinaamowin (Vision of the Evening Star)
Type : Bolo tie: a 14K gold slide with a sterling silver back, with settings of malachite and turquoise stones and red coral fragment inlay/red coral cabochon settings, attached to black braided leather cord ornamented with conical tips of sterling silver and 14K gold balls
Materials : Sterling silver, 14K yellow gold, malachite, turquoise, red coral
Sizes : approx. 2.087 x 1.69 inch (ca. 53 x 43 mm) slide; 0.157 inch (4 mm) diamater cord, 18.5 inch (47 cm) long.
Price : 1,760.00 USD* /2,330.00 CAD*/1.900,00 EUR**
Item number : JEWELRY-5-5
*Shipping costs included, US and Canadian tax rates excluded. Price depends on current Euro-dollar exchange rates.
**Shipping costs excluded, Dutch BTW included.
Ningaabii-anang, Star Sinking in Waters
Two stars that play a central role in many a traditional Anishinaabe aadizookaan (traditional stories of a sacred nature) that our ancestors passed on to us, are Niingaabi’anang and Waabananang. Although the old stories make a metaphorical distinction between them, both stars are in fact two manifestations of one and the same planet. This planet, which reflects the light of Mishoomis Giizis (Grandfather Sun), is called Giizhig-anang, or Day Star, by the Anishinaabeg and Venus by the Europeans, who named it after the Roman goddess of love and beauty. When this planet is visible in the firmament it reaches its maximum brightness shortly before sunrise (hence the association with Morning), and when it is visible in the evening it reaches its maximum brightness just after sunset (hence the association with the Evening.)
In an Anishinaabe world view perspective, however, the distinction that is being made between the Morning Star and the Evening Star has a symbolic, or allegorical significance that goes a lot deeper than a mere scientific, empirical description or explanation – as we know it from Western thinking.
To put it simply: there is more to the subject of the Morning and Evening Star than meets the eye. Their regular appearance cycle at night reflects a profound psychological understanding of the dual nature of mankind; so, in a way, both stars are two sides of the same coin (planet)...
Nigaabii-anang, also called “star Sinking in Waters” or Women’s Star, is a powerful Aadizookaan and medicine man who resides in the land of E-bangishimog (the Spirit of the West) and Ningaabii’ani-noodin (the West Wind). Nigaabii-anang is the patron of all women and was once the elder anfd tutor of Waaban (the Dawn). Representing old age and wisdom, he teaches healing and the need for moderation and patience. He symbolized a force contrary to that of Waaban, and the conflict that resulted from this images the lasting human conflict on earth between knowledge and wisdom, between youth and age.
The bolo tie, which jeweler Zhaawano designed as a tribute to the Evening Star, consists of a star-shaped slide attached to a leather cord equipped with conical tips of silver and gold ball end tips – the latter symbolizing planet Venus reflecting the light of the Day-Sun. The slide is made of gold and has a silver back. The oval malachite stone in the middle, set in gold, is surrounded by red coral fragment inlay, 10 balls of gold, and – depicting the rays of the star - 10 oval turquoise stones set in gold, each tipped wit small red coral cabochons, also set in gold. The green of the large oval malachite stone cabochon in the middle stands for Omizakamigokwe, the Earthmother, source of all life and also for the primacy of the women of our Nations who have the Evening Star as their patron; the blue color of the turquoise stones and the red coral surrounding the center stone denote, respectively, the water of the lakes and the fire of the setting sun of which the Evening Star was conceived.
See our Art Blog to read more about the symbolic background of the bolo tie.
Click here to view the Morning Star - a matching women's ring - and here to see Day Star, a set of the above bolo tie coupled with the Morning Star ring.
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