Alebrijes: Discovering Spirit Guides
A Mexican tradition I think we all need in our lives.
You probably first saw an Alebrijes in Coco, I know that was my first experience. But I didn’t actually know what it was. The movie mentions them by name but doesn’t go into what they are or their meaning, just that they’re our spirit guide or what we’ve come to call “spirit animals.”
Alebrijes are vibrant, fantastical creatures that have become a quintessential part of Mexican folk art. Originating in the 1930s from the imaginative mind of artist Pedro Linares, these colorful sculptures combine elements from various animals, creating whimsical and surreal forms. Initially inspired by a fever dream, alebrijes quickly gained popularity and were embraced by indigenous communities, particularly the Zapotecs in Oaxaca. Famous artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera also commisioned Pedro to create Alebrijes for them, adding to their popularity at the time.
Today, Alebrijes hold cultural significance as symbols of creativity and tradition, often believed to guide spirits and connect the living with the mystical. They are not only celebrated for their intricate craftsmanship but also for their role in preserving and celebrating Mexican heritage.
Last week I walked through the Denver Botanic Gardens as a part of my summer ritual (I get a membership every year!) and was surprised to find these colorful creations hiding through the garden. Each one, carved and painted by Jacobo and María Ángeles, famous for their Zapotec Calendar sculptures.
The Zapotec Calendar, with its 13 months and 20-day cycles, features animals governing each day. Displayed at the Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, the calendar, which is incomplete due to deterioration from time, inspired Jacobo and María to delve into its mysticism. Their extensive research since the '90s led to the creation of a unique collection of wood-carved figures, blending art and spirituality. This series reflects the rich cultural heritage of the Zapotec people and their deep connection to these animals.
The Zapotec people aren’t the only one’s who recognize spirit animals in their culture. Many cultures who relied heavily on animals to survive told stories of these animals importance and used them as totems to guide them through life. These cultures included Native Americans, Chinese, Greek, Buddhist, Aztec and Egyptians, to name a few.
It goes to show that there is something within us, especially those connected deeply to the land, that see animals as being more than objects. These creatures, great and small, provide soul to our world and remind us to get in tune with our true selves.
To me, the Alebrijes are an essentials piece of spirituality and our journey back to a natural state. They are not only spirit animals but a combination of animals that bring together traits that allow us, and encourage us, to be our best selves. They represent the greatest parts of nature.
For days I couldn’t get the image of these sculptures out of my head. The intense color of them, the intricate hand painted designs that covered their bodies, and the fluidity in which the two animals converge to make a new animal that seems only right, as if this was the animal that existed all along.
In an attempt to better understand the Alebrijes and to better understand myself, I decided to embark on creating my own spirit guide, one that represented who I am and who I want to be.1
I loved the wolf-fish that Jacobo and María created but it didn’t feel fully like who I was. The Monkey-Iguana was our son Tobias (Creativity and Perseverance- we also call him our little monkey), the Jaguar-Eagle is my husband (pictured above in my watercolor painting, representing strength, discipline, and leadership.)
As I looked into the characteristics of more animals I came up with a Fox-Sea Turtle. I’ve been seeing a fox in my life often as of late and feel drawn to them. I love their sweet look but their fierce and playful spirit. Then there is my love and draw to water. It doesn’t matter if it’s the ocean, a lake, a river, or a pool, I crave the water. As an Aquarius I am the water bearer and need it in my life. The sea turtle also represents many creation stories from indigenous cultures fulling my need for spirituality. It is a guide, wisdom, a reminder to be slow (slow on land, fast in water) and encourages others to take a break and get grounded. The Fox along with being playful is intuitive, confident, adaptable, and spiritual. Together these make the Alebrijes of my heart.
In my painting, I used many of the same colors that Jacobo and María and used their geometric designs as inspiration for my own. I also included a lot of patterns that captured the essence of water because that was such a leading force in choosing the sea turtle as one of my animals. The finished digital painting is a combination of color, pattern, and two animals I have fallen even more in love with.
I’m in a place where I’m playing with a lot of different styles of art and just creating to see what comes out of me. My time is limited as a mother, so doing these little exercises without any need to create something that has to be sold has been fun. I’m not sure how these new creation will influence my art in the end, but I know that I’m now on a deep dive into folk art, exploring it from many different backgrounds and seeing how I can incorporate it into my paintings. I’ll keep you posted on how that turns out.
–Katie Jackson
Modern Magic
I fully understand that this is not my heritage and that by creating art from someone else’s culture I risk appropriating it. I wanted to create an Alebrijes as a practice not something to exploit this culture. As a white woman, my ancestors have often missed out on these deep spiritual practices, and they are the ones that mean the most to me and the ones I would like to teach our son as he learns more about the divine and spirit. If these traditions come from your ancestors, please know that I have the deepest respect for them and am open to learning more if I’ve missed the mark in my creation or writing. Feel free to reach out and educate me further, if you feel open to that.
Loved learning about these and seeing your artistic process drawing them yourself. And loved the introspection and willingness to learn from others! This was great.