Huichol Native T Shirt – ‘Tayaupa’ Design

Description

The design of this T shirt is taken from a yarn painting created by the Huichol Indian artist Fidencio Benitez.

Here is artist’s description of the art:

Tatawari, the ancient fire god, appointed the Sun to govern the Earth. Tayaupa, the Sun, assigned four deer deities to this duty: Kauyumarie, the East, Ushikuikame, the South, Watemukame, the West and Narihuame in the north (four figures with antlers in the upper half of the circle).

Through a  hole drilled in a stone disc, set in the wall of the temple, Tayaupa looks at the world and his rays enter the temple and bring fertility to all the people.

Every year the Huichol pilgrims travel to the eastern desert, where the Sun was born, to collect the sacred cactus “hikuri” which is the embodiment of the deer and through many ceremonies the well being of all the people and the animals is assured.