Jasmine Dowling is an Australian Designer and Digital Content Creator who has worked with some of the worlds top fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands. She expresses her creative vision through her personal Blog & Artwork on her Online Store.
I made this chart to bring the symbolism I use in my work to light. I did not empower these symbols with meaning, most can be traced back to the ancient birthplaces of art and culture. These symbols are meant to build a story up within each piece... ascribing it with meaning and spirit...
Adinkra symbols are of African origin and reflect a system of human values that are universal: family, integrity, tolerance, harmony, determination, & protection among many others... I am Shila Iris and I come to you in the spirit of the African Adinkra symbol, duafe which represents beauty, cleanliness, & desirable feminine qualities. Embrace.
It sounds trite at first glance doesn't it? Of course, I am alive. I can sense the eye-rolling as some people read the title and quickly get bored. "Oh, another person with a chronic illness waxing lyrical about the fact that they're not dead yet, while in the meantime we have real life, here and now…
Apparently these were traditionally symbols of a dead family member. When someone close to you died, you got a black line on your arm. Recently I've seen them on thighs, lower and upper arms, and biceps.
