What a beautiful journey this ring took me on. I was commissioned by a lovely woman called Jamie to design and make a ring honoring her partner's religious beliefs. Ricardo grew up surrounded by Vodou, as his family came from Haiti, Jamaica and Cuba (few other places as well).
The drove from Brisbane to my workshop in Mullumbimby, near Byron Bay, to pick up the ring. It was a surprise for Ricardo as that day was his 30th birthday.
The best part about making this ring was getting to see the reaction to my work and getting to talk at length with both Jamie and Ricardo.
Fascinating and beautiful people who I feel blessed to have met.
In one ring, I needed to honor his three Loa, Papa Legba, Baron Samedi and Damballa. The veve (symbol) on the face of the ring is for Papa Legba. He stands at the spiritual crossroads and grants or denies permission to speak with the spirits. He is always the first, and the last Loa invoked in any ceremony, because his permission is needed for any communication between mortals and the Loa. He opens and closes the doorway to the spirit world.
The snakes on each side of the band represent Damballa and his wife Ayido Wedo. Damballa is the Sky Father. The primordial snake of wealth, wisdom and creator of life (or the first thing created by Gran Met). with his true love Ayido Wedo, the Rainbow Serpent, they maintain balance of the forces that sustain all life on Earth.
The snake god loves the precious metal silver and if worshippers find favour with the god he rewards them by leading them figuratively or literally to Earthly riches.
Hidden inside of the ring (facing the finger) is Baron Samedi. Depicted as a gentleman in a top hat and a skull face, the Baron has the power to decide who should die and who can go on living. He isn't simply a spirit who guides the souls, he has the power over life and death. He ensures that the veil between the living world and the dead is never disrupted, that the dead never return.
I also made a custom ring box from camphor wood with the veve of Pap Legba on the lid. This was definitely my favorite custom silver ring that I have made to date.
Feel free to email me at info@nomadicpeople.com.au if you would like to get a custom ring of your own made.
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