Warrior Women: Art ~ Women ~ Archetypes

Rani of Jhansi

A comment on a post of some indian inspired hotel renderings I did a while back promted me to look up Jhansi.  Which lead to me finding Rani of Jhansi her name is Lakshmi Bai and she is a warrior woman who fought for India's freedom.  I believe subconsciously I tapped into this eastern archetype from previous photos on warrior women with swords and wearing indian fabrics.  (see photo below)
Rani Lakshmibai was one of the leading women warriors of the India’s first struggle of independence. She is a symbol of bravery, patriotism and honor. She was born on 19th November, 1835 at Poona. Her father Moropant Tabme was a court advisor, and mother Bhagirathi was a scholarly woman. At a very early age she lost her mother. Her father raised her in an unconventional way and supported her to learn to ride elephants and horses and also to use weapons effectively. She grew up with Nana Saheb and Tatya Tope, who were active participants in the first revolt of independence. In 1842, Rani Lakshmibai was married to Raja Gangadhar Rao who was the Maharaja of Jhansi. After the marriage to Gangadhar Rao she was called Lakshmi Bai. In 1851, she gave birth to a son but unfortunately he died in his fourth month. After this tragic incident, Damodar Rao was adopted by Maharaja of Jhansi as his son. Moved by the death of his son and his poor health, Maharaja Gangadhar Rao also died on 21st November 1853. When the Maharaja died, Rani Lakshmi Bai was just eighteen years old, but she didn’t lose her courage and took up her responsibility.

Warrior Women Photo Series

Lord Dalhousie, the Governor -General of India at that time, was a very shrewd person who tried to take advantage of the misfortune of Jhansi to expand the British Empire. The British rulers did not accept little Damodar Rao, as the legal heir of late Maharaja Gangadhar Rao and Rani Lakshmi Bai. Their plan was to annexe Jhansi on the ground that it did not have any legal heir. In March 1854 Rani of Jhansi was granted an annual pension of 60,000 and was ordered to leave the Jhansi fort. She was firm on the decision not to give up the dominion of Jhansi to Britishers.
For strengthening the defense of Jhansi Rani Lakshmibai assembled an army of rebellions, which also included women. For this great cause she was supported by brave warriors like Gulam Gaus Khan, Dost Khan, Khuda Baksh, Sunder-Mundar, Kashi Bai, Lala Bhau Bakshi, Moti Bai, Deewan Raghunath singh and Deewan Jawahar Singh. She assembled 14,000 rebels and organized an army for the defense of the city. In March 1858, when the Britishers attacked Jhansi, Rani Lakshmibai’s army decided to fight and the war continued for about two weeks. The army fought very bravely, even though Jhansi lost to the British forces. After a fierce war when the British army entered Jhansi, Rani Lakshmi Bai, tied her son Damodar Rao to her back fought bravely using two swords with both her hands. She escaped to the fortress of Kalpi under the cover of darkness and was accompanied by many other rebellions. She departed to Gwalior and a fierce battle was fought between the British and the Rani’s army. On the unfortunate day of 18th June of 1858, this great warrior martyred her life for India’s freedom.
(excerpt from www.freshliners.com)

Relentless Resilience: Call to Women

Long ago before the patriarchal systems we have today there was much respect for the great mother, the sacred feminine. With the tragedy in Haiti, the death of three female Haitian activists for women's rights due to the earthquake, and the alarming report that 72% of Haitian females are raped in their life times. Let us remember Erzulie Dantor a female archetype of war and love from Haiti. Erzulie is known as the patron of Women's Finances and Women in Business. Legend has it that she fought in the Haitian revolution alongside her people however they cut out her tongue for fear she would reveal their secrets if caught. She is a fierce warrioress and a ferocious protector of women and children. Her roots go back through to the middle passage and finally to Africa. Erzulie is Oshun the West African goddess of Women's Rights, Oshun teaches us the world will be in disorder as long as women and children are disrespected, neglected and abused.
It is just to speak up for those unable to, express anger, fight back if provoked and carry on for those who are no longer with us.

Black Madonna

This is one of my versions of Our Reverent Mother, if you click on this link you will learn about the Black Madonnas painted during the medieval times 12century - 15th century. Black Madonnas of this time period can be found in the following countries: Belgium, Croatia, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Sicily (Italy), Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, USA.
This is a comment from that link, "Concerning why is she black--in Aramaic the language of Jesus--black means "sorrowful." It is a language of idioms. This links the Blessed Mother to Isis who was called "sorrowing" in her search for Osiris."

Goddesses; Sister's of the Sea

"Sea Sister"
12" x 16" Oil on canvas.
Most cultures have a mermaid story click here to read mermaid stories from around the world from the following countries: The Antilles, Ireland, Iceland, Yoruba, Chile, France, Native American, Native American - Ottawa, African American and my favorite from Trinidad by author Joseph L. Titled "The Mermaid's Twin Sister" here is an excerpt:

"Tilly?" I called softly. "Is that you, Tilly? I was whispering because my voice was hoarse from shouting. But she didn’t answer. She swam in front of me, pulling my long hair gently so I drifted behind her. She was heading toward the shore. And she swam quick like a fish, slicing through de water even smoother than she ever had before.

And when we got to the shallows, she let go my hair and whispered in a voice that sounded like a cloud floating on the sea. "They don’t know it’s two of us. So go now and be my earth self, and I’ll be your water self." Before I could answer, she turned fast and swam away. And all I could see was a long, beautiful fish slicing de waves."

Untitled Matriarch Madonna

S.S.Wilson Collection, Parkland, FL.
Commissioned piece, oil on canvas.
Temporarily on loan to be viewed at the Sail Boat Bend Gallery, Ft. Lauderdale 03.21.09 thru 04.09