The Universe Of The Ojibwe Anishinaabeg, an illustrated glossary by Zhaawano Giizhik*

The Universe of The Ojibwe Anishinaabeg by Zhaawano Giizhik - 2014
GIIWEDIN: the north, the Spirit of the North Wind. Land of Biboon the winter and Gaabiboonikaan,
the Spirit of Ice. Giiwedin is the place where Ogashinan, Mother Earth,
purifies herself each year. The annual struggle between Biboon and Ziigwan (the
summer), who respectively symbolize decay/death and youth/renewal, lasts to this day.
Ojibwe medicine painter Chris Angeconeb: Keewadinong, Spirit of the North (Click on image)
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GIIZHIG: the sky. Noosa Giizhig, or Father Sky. Sky and earth are both revered since
they are mutually crucial and inter-reliant in the generation of life. Giizhig also means
“day”.
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GIIZHIGOOKWE: Sky Woman: see AKI (page 16).
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GIIZIS: Giizis, the sun, is mishoomis (our grandfather). The northern Anishinaabeg and
Cree sometimes visualize Giizis as a young man who walks on the wind. He gives light,
life, and warmth to the tree leaves in the Flowering Moon (May); he travels his own path,
and when he gives and withdraws his light, the flowers, trees, grasses, vegetables, and
fruits reply in accordance. Thus the sacred circle of birth, growth, rot, and re-birth
remains unbroken.
Above image: a traditional Ojibwe Anishinaabe mazinashkwemaganjigan (bitten birch bark pattern) of the
sun.
The Universe of The Ojibwe Anishinaabeg by Zhaawano Giizhik - 2014
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