The legend of the Raven, bearer of light and the cedar

Illustration autochtone du Corbeau (trickster) aux motifs noirs, indigo et blancs, assis sur une branche de cèdre stylisée, symbolisant la ruse et le don du soleil et du cèdre aux humains.

In the beginning, the world was a dark expanse. The sun, the stars, and fire were jealously guarded in boxes by an old chief, who refused to share them with humanity. This chief lived in a large house at the top of a mountain.

The raven (the trickster), seeing the sadness and coldness of the humans, felt compelled. Not out of kindness, but out of love for the game and balance, he decided to steal the treasures.

The crow transformed into a small cedar needle and dropped into the chief's daughter's cup of water. The girl swallowed it unintentionally and, soon after, gave birth to a child. This child was the transformed crow, who only ever cried for hidden boxes.

To appease the child, the chief gave him the first box. The crow, back to his senses, opened it and the sun burst forth, illuminating the world for the first time. The chief, furious, gave him the second box. The crow opened it and stars and the moon spread across the night sky.

Just before fleeing with the last box, which contained the cedar (the purifying herb), the raven landed on a tree and, through cunning, managed to free the cedar. The chief pursued him, and in the ensuing chaos, the raven dropped pieces of the sacred cedar to the earth, bestowing upon humans the gift of purification and medicine.

Because of its passage down the chief's house chimney, the raven was originally white, but soot turned it black forever. Since then, it has been a symbol of hidden knowledge, ingenuity, and the fact that light and sacred gifts must be shared.

The raven reminds us that we have within us the power to transform darkness into light through the cunning of the mind, and that even the greatest secret can be revealed by a humble action.

The role of the Raven, who uses cunning to deliver essential gifts, is a powerful archetype. This notion of sacred gift echoes the importance of the purifying cedar and its spiritual uses , a recurring theme in our traditions. Its status as a messenger between worlds is similar to that of the Wind Eagle, a symbol of spiritual strength , which flies close to the heavens. To integrate this energy of ingenuity and protection against dark forces into your life, we invite you to discover our Northwest handcrafted creations (masks and sculptures) , where the raven is often depicted as a key totem.

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Foire aux questions

1. Why is the Raven often called the "Trickster" in native legends?
The Raven is the Trickster because he uses cunning, ingenuity, and sometimes mischievous or selfish actions to bring about great change. In this legend, he steals the light from the greedy leader, not out of pure altruism, but for the love of the game, resulting in a major benefit for humanity.
2. What does the transformation of the Raven from white to black symbolize?
The Raven's transformation from white (or a neutral color) to black marks its adventure and its role as a messenger. Black is often associated with the soot from the chief's fireplace, but symbolically, it represents its mysterious nature and its ability to navigate through darkness to bring light.
3. What sacred gift did the Raven drop upon the Earth?
The sacred gift is the cedar tree. It is used by Indigenous peoples for purification, medicine, and ceremonies. By releasing it, the Raven has given humans the tools to cleanse themselves spiritually and connect with spirits.