Hebert's Carvings
Tree Carving, Tree Spirits, Living art
Portraits, Tree spirits
LEGEND OF WOOD SPIRITS
There are wood spirit legends in almost every culture as far back as history goes, focusing on Native American, African. It's being told that wood carvers from these cultures looked for a face, animal, or other character that they saw imbedded in the grain of the wood, then worked to "release" it.
Many different cultures throughout history have believed that "Spirits" inhabit the trees of the forest. Some believed that Spirits were living within the tree from its beginning, others believed the spirits of passed ancestors returned to the earth and existed in one of its many forms.
The legend of the wood spirits marked with an effigy, carving or containing naturally appearing images of spirits, are considered very good luck. Some of the best wood spirits are carved from twisted roots and branches, which use the natural form of the wood to present the spirit's face, bringing blessings and good luck to those who shelter them.
