Pineapple
Friendship
The Pineapple is a symbol of friendship. It also represents welcome and hospitality. In the Caribbean and especially Jamaica which was a former British colony it was thought to resemble the British crown and was used a lot decoratively on colonial furniture. The pineapple is featured on Jamaica’s coat of arms.
Patoo (Owl) is Jamaica’s brown owl, it is a symbol of wisdom. These beautiful and mysterious nocturnal creatures are able to see at nigh and into worlds we are not able to see. In Greek mythology when the goddess Athena went into battle she would have her owl with her, he was able to see her blindspots and alert her to danger.
Anchors hold a ship in place amidst the uncertainty of storms and rough seas. A metaphor for us to have hope, be tranquil during rough times. The anchor is a symbol that represents security, stability & being grounded. It demonstrates that a person is in tune with themselves and hold on to the values and morals that they believe in. It can represent a person who has been there for us in difficult times.
For those of us who have had a tumultuous past the anchor is a pledge to move on and have a better, brighter and grounded future. For the early Christians it was a secret symbol of hope used to mark safe houses for those fleeing persecution.
When a ship raises its anchor it tells everyone that it is leaving its current port of call and is on its way to a new adventure. This is a metaphor for how each one of us feel when we decide to leave a stagnant part of our lives behind us in order to begin a new journey, voyage or adventure.
The moon represents growth. Tides and menstrual cycles are tied to the moon. The earth and our body is over 70 percent water. The Blessing Beads we use are picked under a full moon.
“This is for you. Embrace your whole self, both the seen and the unseen. Your best self awaits.” - Gina Mair.
Crocodiles symbolize ultimate Primal Power. They have been around since the time of the dinosaurs which are now extinct. They represent fierce protection and can see underwater and into emotional worlds. Their tough backs are like an armor and can deflect bullets; however, their underside belly is soft. This speaks to us of duality and balance: the rigid and the vulnerable, the push and the pull, the mighty and the meek, the obvious and the hidden. The Crocodile is the symbol used by the Bank of Jamaica and Jamaica’s defense force it is also on Jamaica’s coat of arms.
The dragonfly is a symbol of change. They are able to adapt in any situation on land, on water or in the air.
Angel Wings symbolize guidance. Guidance from your guardian angel, that being who is always looking out for you.
Conch Shells represent Sacred Sound. It was used by the Taino caciques (chiefs) to assemble his people. For the Hindu goddess Durga it indicates her holding unto god in the form of sound.
Frogs symbolize Blessings.
The River Maid or River Mumma is Jamaica’s fresh water mermaid. She is the guardian of Jamaica’s fresh waterways, rivers and streams. Her home is the river head and deep holes. She is Jamaica’s water source and she is a symbol of sensuality and life, a water spirit. Water is life. Her story started in Africa, she travelled on the middle passage and came to the different countries with her enslaved peoples, in other countries along the transatlantic slave trade she has different names. She is also synchronized with Mary.
The snail shell is a symbol of exploration and travel. Like a free spirited gypsea the snail carries its home on its back. It symbolizes that anywhere we go is home, feeling at home anywhere is being okay with who we are.
The snail shell holds meaning for the Taino’s as well, the shape of the shell is a pattern that occurs in nature. The Greeks referred to it as the “Golden Mean”, it is a series of expanding circles that get progressively larger at a steady rate. It occurs in trees, plants and sea life. It is this same pattern that regulates the distance of planets from the sun.