Raven Story Stamp Silkscreen Print

Raven and the Box of Daylight is a popular traditional Tlingit story, and a great bridge into learning about our culture. Here is a abbreviated version of the story:

Raven is the Trickster.
A long time ago, there was no celestial light. People lived in darkness. Raven heard of a chieftain who owned a collection of items of great light - things which would light up the world. Raven decided to become a part of this household.

Raven is a Transformer.
He transformed into a pine needle and the chieftain's daughter drank him in a glass of water. She became pregnant, and nine months later gave birth to baby Raven. In his youth, he loved the boxes of family treasure which held the sun, the moon, and the stars. He cried to play with them. He begged to play with them. With time, his grandfather could not say no any longer.

Raven was allowed to play with the box of stars. Not long after, he freed them. Raven was in big trouble. He cried. He cried for forgiveness. After time, he asked to play with the next box. Raven promised not to open the second box, but he did. The moon was free. Raven cried. He cried for forgiveness. However, a grandparent's love is immeasurable, so he let Raven play with the box of daylight.

Raven brought the sun, the moon, and the stars to the universe.

The stamp depicts a moment of climax in one of his heists, where Raven is stealing the stars. Raven is trying to grab as many stars as he can, some stuck in his feathers and in his hands or in his beak. Some falling around him. It’s a frazzled moment of adrenaline.  Raven is still partially in human form, as depicted as his hand still being human, as he carries the stars away. I think it depicts a moment we all have experienced, the cusp of failure and accomplishment.

For more of the Raven Story design, see our note cards, postcards, and signed stamp sheets!

Listen to Lily Hope's fantastic retelling of the story: