The Shaman Game of String Figures

The Shaman's Game of String Figures for Teaching, Healing and Creating

String Figures are found in almost all of the ancient cultures of the world. Most people think of string figures as "just a child's game" In it's simple form it is just that - a game. But on other levels one discovers what has been hidden from view. It is my speculation that the game of string figures was the game of the shaman. A game where small changes were made in the pattern of string. Small changes that brought about outward manifestations of new learning, healing and creation. This lens will help you discover The Shamans Game of String Figures and will give you the secrets on how to use this game for Teaching, Healing and Creating.

Cat's Cradle

Cat's Cradle String Art

Pulling Strings of Memory. The Art of Cat's Cradle.

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Shamanic

Healing Music

Go on a Shamanic Journey as you weave patterns in the string.

What are String Figures?

String Figures - A Brief Overview

Be sure to read the entire Wikipedia article on String Figures. It will give you important background information that you won't want to miss.

Category: File - :Osage_Two_Diamonds_Jayne_Fig_56.jpg|thumb|right|Osage Two Diamonds

A string figure is a design formed by manipulating string on, around, and using one's fingers or sometimes between the fingers of multiple people. String figures may also involve the use of the mouth, wrist, and feet. They may consist of singular images or be created and altered as a game, known as a string game, or as part of a story involving various figures made in sequence. String figures have also been used for divination, such as to predict the sex of an unborn child.

The most popular and well-known string game appears to be cat's cradle. String figures, which are well distributed throughout the world, include Jacob's Ladder (Osage Diamonds, Fishnet), Cup and Saucer (Sake Glass, Coffee Cup) and Tree Hole (The Moon Gone Dark, Sun).

read the rest of the Wikipedia article

String Figure Articles by Lois Stokes

A different way of looking at string figures

BE INSPIRED BY STRING FIGURES!
Give your fingers a rest and read these articles, poems and stories. For those who just can't get enough. More knowledge about string figures.

String Figures and Shamanism: What if string figures are more than "just a child's game"
The Hidden Knowledge of String Figures: Ever wonder what was behind this simple child's game?
This article will start you on that adventure and even teach you how to make the Hawaiian String Figure called "One Eye"
Snaring Time and Space: The Hawaiian word for string figures is Hei. One of the meanings is to snare. But what are we snaring in our string figure net?
Weaving The Prayer Flower: String Figures can be performed as a healing art.
Tales Are Told This Way: Another poem to inspire the storyteller that sleeps within you
The HUNA of String Figures: The secret magic of string figures revealed.
Hei: Hawaiian String Figures and Chants: For those fond of coded messages. Explore the hidden meanings of Hei in definitions found within the Hawaiian Dictionary.
Shaman Tool: What if string figures were the tool of a shaman?
Explore the possibility.
String Figures For Teaching: What did string figures teach in years past? What can they be used to teach today?
String Figures For Healing: How were string figures used to heal? How can we use them in Health, Wellness and Healing Practices today?
String Figures For Creating: In the past string figures like quilting, tattoos, tapa patterns and petroglyphs were a symbolic means of communicating a message. Sometimes the meaning was known only to the creator of the pattern. Today string figures is a living art where everyone is an artist and create something new.
Enter The Dream World of Mu: A Poem inspired by the lost island of Mu.
String Figures are coded messages of ancient times.
Whisper of Aloha: String Figures Promote Peace and Harmony.
Extending Aka Cords: My life as a Virtual Shaman. Explore another reality in the Second Life experience. Yes String Figures are found in Holani a virtual world for shaman and healers.

String Trick Magic

A String Trick

String trick also known as the train goes through the tunnel or the eel goes through the rocks

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Web Of Life

We are all connected in this web of life

Spinning the web of life
the cosmic grid
Connecting cords to the heavens above
the earth below
Shamanic journeys along aka threads

Taking sacred steps
along the Labyrinth path
Following threads of life
while dreaming ancient myths
Moon shadows reflect man's destiny

Weaving ancestor patterns
a simple loop of string
Bringing back
Ancient Spider memories
Ritual is alive as women sit

Creating webs, spiders spin
mandalas of sacred art
Opening portals to the unseen world
Ancient silken strings embrace magic

Honu (Turtle)

How to make Honu a String Figure Turtle from Hawaii

For Pictures to help you make this string figure Click on the link at the bottom of this page or go to The Ancient Art of Hawaiian String Figures http://www.stringfigure.com

Two movements that are often used to start a figure are Position 1 and Opening A:

Surfboard
Papa he'e nalu

Start by facing the palms of your hands together Now put the loop of string around both the left and right thumbs and stretch your hands out so that the string is tight.
Surfs up! Let's catch the wave!

Canoe
Wa'a
(Position 1)

First make the surfboard. Then the little finger of your right hand gets into the loop by picking up from below the far right thumb string. Now the little finger of your left hand gets into the loop by picking up from below the far left thumb string. Remember to stretch your hands out so that the string is tight. The string that goes across your palm is called the palmar string.

Your canoe is large enough to hold more people and don't forget the dogs, coconuts and chickens.

Ocean Wave
Nalu
(Opening A)

After you have made the surfboard and the canoe. Use the index finger of your right hand and "swim across, dive down and come up for air" to pick up from below the palmar string of your left hand (The string that goes across your palm) and swim back. Extend by stretching your hands so that the strings are tight.

Now with the index finger of your left hand swim across and pick up from below the right palmar string making sure that you pull it through the loop that goes around your right index finger. Now swim back and extend so that the strings are stretched tight.

Honu
(Turtle)
Made on Maui and Kaua'i

1. Make the Surfboard.
2. Make the Canoe.
3. Make the Ocean Wave.

4. Thumbs dive down and come up in the middle index loop (picks up the near index string) and little fingers dive down and come up in the middle index loop (picks up the far index string).

5. Navaho the thumbs and little fingers: There are two strings around the thumbs and little fingers. The top string is an X and the bottom string is straight. From the outside, lift the bottom up and over the top. Do this for thumbs and little fingers.

6. Look for the two straight strings (running from little finger to little finger and from thumb to thumb). Thumbs swim across, pick up the straight string on the other side (near the little finger) and swim back. Little fingers swim across, pick up the straight string on the other side (near the thumb) and swim back.

7. Navaho thumbs and little fingers:

8. Again there are two strings around the thumbs and two strings around the little fingers. This time the top string is straight and the bottom string is an X. Lift the bottom string up and over the top. Do this for thumbs and little fingers.

Hawaiian String Figures and Tricks

String Figures Filmed on Location in Hawai'i

String Figures are called Hei in Hawaii and the String Tricks are called pukaula. There are over 115 patterns recorded in the Bishop Museum Bulletin #54. By Lyle A. Dickey in 1928.

Lois and Earl Stokes at www.stringfigure.com are committed to sharing them with you.

E Loli E - Part I

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E Loli E - Part II

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The Kokee Flower

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The Hanapepe Swinging Bridge String Figure

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Kauhale a Limaloa (in Japanese)

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Favorite String Figure Sites

Sharing the Joy of String Figures

I have traveled through time and space. String Figure Sites are seen everyplace. Here are some of my Favorites. I have so many more to include. Please help me out and add the ones you like.