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Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Painted Stools

When we completed our kitchen, we added a bar, and thus needed bar stools. We went with unpainted stools with the idea of painting them ourselves. I have been chipping away at them and am finally finished. I decided to do the four classical elements: fire, water, earth, and wind.
In researching the four elements, I found that the Greeks believed them to be the root of all existing matter. Eastern cultures incorporate them into their beliefs as well.
Each element corresponds to a direction on the compass and has its own individual traits. Quoted below are descriptions of each element:

Each of the elements is associated with traits and meanings, as well as with directions on the compass. The following directional associations are for the Northern hemisphere; readers in the Southern hemisphere should use the opposite correspondences.

Earth: Connected to the North, Earth is considered the ultimate feminine element. The Earth is fertile and stable, associated with the Goddess. The planet itself is a ball of life, and as it turns, we can watch all the aspects of life take place in the Earth: birth, life, death, and finally rebirth. The Earth is nurturing and stable, solid and firm, full of endurance and strength. In color correspondences, both green and brown connect to the Earth, for fairly obvious reasons!

Air: Air is the element of the East, connected to the soul and the breath of life. If you’re doing work related to communication, wisdom or the powers of the mind, Air is the element to focus on. Air carries away your troubles, blows away strife, and carries positive thoughts to those who are far away. Air is associated with the colors yellow and white, and connects to the Tarot suit of Swords.

Fire: Fire is a purifying, masculine energy, associated with the South, and connected to strong will and energy. Fire both creates and destroys, and symbolizes the fertility of the God. Fire can heal or harm, and can bring about new life or destroy the old and worn.

Water: Water is a feminine energy and highly connected with the aspects of the Goddess. Used for healing, cleansing, and purification, Water is related to the West, and associated with passion and emotion.

I think from day to day, I will pick my seat as my needs indicate.
Wind:


Fire:
Earth:
Water:



2 comments:

Phyllis Harris said...

You are so creative. These are really wonderful. I love the fun, bright colors!

Paige Keiser said...

Oh wow, they turned out wonderfully, and they match the wall color so well!