Killer Whale - Guardian Spirit of the Sea

Killer Whale

(Guardian Spirit of the Sea)

Killer Whale is one of four main crests within the family structure of Northwest coast First Nations people. The other three crests are : Eagle, Raven and Wolf. My family crest is Eagle. For this I like to include the Eagle motif in just about every design I produce.

In this Killer Whale design I have chosen to place the head of Eagle in the main body structure just behind the blow hole. The Eagle wing is also the side fin of Killer Whale.

Guardian helper spirit faces appear throughout the painting. There are four in all. The image protruding from the mouth of Killer Whale symbolizes strength and prosperity that guardian spirit helpers provide to individuals.

Terry Starr

Tsimshian Artist

March 2010