Nike Davies-Okundaye's 'Cycle of Life'

Mama Nike, as she is fondly called, spent three years producing the Cycle of Life. This work was a part of her training at the Oshogbo School of Art under the tutelage of Georgina Ulli Beier. Take a closer look at the many symbols depicted.

Some signify law-making and rulers in society. The crab symbol signifies the stage in life when children crawl before they eventually walk. 

The flower symbol represents life.

The circular symbol signify money while the symbol which has the form of a key signifies the tool which is used to access the money. 

The star represents the indomitable nature of a fighter.

The tribal mark motif is used to show a person’s identification with his or her roots and the sugarcane motif signifies the intransigence of sweet things in life.

The hand fan signifies royalty as well as the consuming nature of fire. 

The scissors signifies continuity in life as it is the tool used to cut the physical connection between mother and child after birth.