Canola
The Goddess of Music in Celtic Mythology
This embroidery features Canola, known in Celtic—and particularly Irish—mythology as the goddess of music and dreams. According to legend, Canola (also called Cana Cludhmor) was walking by the sea one night when she heard a melody carried by the wind as it passed through the bones of a whale’s skeleton. Moved by this sound, she was inspired to invent the harp. In this piece, Canola is depicted inside a yellow iris flower, which grows widely in Ireland.
Collection: The Musician Goddesses Series
Technique: This work is embroidered on alpaca fabric, primarily using the Chinese embroidery technique (silk shading). Additional techniques include seed stitch, stem stitch, backstitch, fishbone stitch, chain stitch, and bead embroidery. The butterflies placed in her hair are crafted using traditional Turkish needle lace (oya) in a delicate wing motif.
Inspiration: Celtic mythology and the native Irish iris flowers
The 1805 Hibernia halfpenny featuring the motif of the Celtic harp.
The Harp
Considered one of the oldest musical instruments in the world, it is often associated with mythical feminine figures such as angels and fairies. In Celtic, and especially Irish mythology, the harp is said to have been invented by Canola. In this embroidery, the design was inspired by the Celtic harp in reference to that legend. This harp is shown in a medium-sized, closed-frame form.