The Sierra Madre Occidental region, which covers the territory of Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit, enjoys one of the richest varieties of indigenous communities. In 2017, it was counted the presence of 8,000 families of 14 different ethnicities, that includes Nahua, Otomi, Zapotec, Triquis, Mixtec, Purepecha, Cora, Huichol, and Tzotzil.
Many of these groups migrate looking for better living conditions and job opportunities, nevertheless, Huichol or Wixarika people are a native culture of the Sierra Madre mountains, which is particularly striking for being a direct descendant of the Aztecs.
This culture is mostly known for its colorful crafts made with beads or stamens, as well as for its constant efforts to preserve and spread its traditions, beliefs, and rituals among the tourist that arrive in Puerto Vallarta or Bahia de Banderas; some of the symbols most associated with them are the deer, corn, peyote, and the well-known God’s eyes. At Velas Vallarta, the preservation of local art is essential to recognize the legacy of cultures as important as the Huichol culture.
If you ever visited this part of Mexico, you probably have seen this beautiful craft; God’s eyes are made of a small wooden cross covered by threads of different colors, the combination and the way they are woven together form a small rhombus, which represents the universe and the five directions of the cosmos: south – yuawime; north – tusame; west – ta’lawime; east – tsayule; and center – tsayule.
- Black: it represents life, the ocean, and the goddess Tatei Aramara, mother of the sea.
- Blue: it symbolizes the color of the water and rain, it also represents the god Rapawiyene.
- White: it represents the clouds, air, and death.
- Red: it is associated with the peyote and the Parierekua zone, as well as the attributes of life and the goods.
- Purple: symbolizes the life of the human being and his earthly existence.
We share with you the steps to follow to create your own God’s Eye. It is really easy!
