Native American Navajo Fine Etched Horsehair Wedding Vase with Healing Hands

The Wedding Vase is an ancient vessel still used in traditional Pueblo wedding ceremonies. Each of its spouts symbolizes one of the individuals being wed. The looped handle represents the unity achieved through marriage, while the space within the loop signifies the circle of life. During the traditional ceremony, the couple drinks nectar, prepared by the medicine man, from the spouts to symbolize the blending of their lives. This pot embodies the ancient rite, with the symbol of the healing hand or the hand of friendship encircling the vase. ^