Olympics; Utah; Salt Lake City (Utah); Winter Olympic Games (19th : 2002 : Salt Lake City, Utah)
The mascots of the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics represented the land and culture of Utah and the American West. Inspired by images from ancient petroglyphs, Powder the Hare, Coal the Bear and Copper the Coyote were chosen as ideal icons for...
Ancient Egyptians believed in life after death. They developed a process, called mummification, to preserve the body after death for its use in the afterlife. During embalming, the process used to create a mummy, specific internal organs were...
Egypt -- Social life and customs -- To 332 B.C.; Egypt -- Civilization--To 332 B.C.; Egypt -- Antiquities; Amulets; Scarabs; Beads; Dung beetles
Amulets were objects thought to have magical powers worn by Ancient Egyptians for luck or protection. Scarabs, or dung beetles, were the most common amulet design of Ancient Egypt. The species of beetle represented in ancient Egyptian amulets and...
Kites; China; China -- Social life and customs; China -- Folklore; Kites -- China
The first kites were probably flown in China more that 3,000 years ago. Like this kite, they were made by stretching silk over bamboo frames. Kites continue to be an integral part of Chinese culture today. Each year, people all over China celebrate...
The first kites were probably flown in China more than 3,000 years ago. Like this kite, they were made by stretching silk over bamboo frames. Each year, people all over China celebrate Kite Festivals on the 9th day of the 9th month of the Chinese...
Isis (Egyptian deity); Egypt -- Social life and customs -- To 332 B.C.; Egypt -- Civilization--To 332 B.C.; Egypt -- Antiquities
Ancient Egyptians believed in an elaborate set of Gods, all interrelated in complex stories and events. These Gods often appeared in human form with characteristics of a specific animal or in half human/half animal form. They also had the power to...
Indians of North America; Indians of North America -- Northwest Coast of North America; Indians of North America -- Rites and ceremonies; Indian dance -- North America; Indians of North America -- Folklore; Masks; Kwakiutl Indians; Kwakiutl art;...
This mask was created by contemporary Kwagiulth artist Buddy George. Called “Moon with Snakes” mask, it depicts a cosmological theme, as many Northwest Coast legends do. It embodies the moon, a celestial being that was, according to legend,...
Osiris (Egyptian deity); Egypt -- Social life and customs -- To 332 B.C.; Egypt -- Civilization --To 332 B.C.; Egypt -- Antiquities
Ancient Egyptians believed in an elaborate set of Gods, all interrelated in complex stories and events. These Gods often appeared in human form with characteristics of a specific animal or in half human/half animal form. They also had the power to...
Bags; Handbag; Beadwork; Tobacco; Tobacco pipes; Smoking Paraphernalia; Indians of North America; 19th Century; Indians of North America -- Social life and customs; Indians of North America -- Tobacco use; Cheyenne indians; Cheyenne indians --...
Leather bags like this one, called pipe or tobacco bags, were used to carry pipe stems, pipe bowls and tobacco. This bag is decorated with both quillwork and glass beads. Before beads were acquired through trade with Europeans, many Native American...
Mexico; Indians of Mexico; Indians of Mexico -- Games; Games; Ball games; Mexico -- History -- To 1519; Mayas
The ball game of ancient Meso-America was a ceremonial activity. The object was to keep the ball in the air as it traveled down the court, just as the sun travels across the sky. The game was played in a large I-shape walled court. The ball was...
Indians of North America; Indians of North America -- Northwest Coast of North America; Indians of North America -- Folklore; Raven (Legendary character); Tricksters; Sculpture
Many contemporary Northwest Coast artists are keeping Northwest Coast folklore alive through their art. This raven sculpture was carved by Kwagiulth artist Harris Smith of Vancouver Island, British Columbia in 2000. Raven is a central character in...
The first kites were probably flown in China more that 3,000 years ago. Traditionally in China on the 9th day of the 9th month, people launch their finest kites. Children even have the day off from school! At the end of the day, the kites are let...
