This pleasing figure features a circular upright loop at its center, much like an Inuit figure that appeared in the December 1998 issue ('Moon Between the Mountains).
Before China took possession, the flag of Tibet featured a rising sun design that closely resembles this string figure. Today the Tibetan flag is banned in China (possession earns a mandatory two-year jail sentence). Outside China, it is defiantly flown by dissidents engaged in the "Free Tibet" political campaign. Use a stiff, thick string for this figure.
Five years ago, school teacher Axel Reichert organized a local chapter of the ISFA in his home town near Hamburg, Germany. He calls his string group the SFAG (Schnurfiguren-Arbeitsgemeinschaft) His fifth and sixth grade students meet once a week to share figures. Each week they learn two new figures. That's over 100 figures a year!
'Nun' was invented by Anna Ernst, the sister of an SFAG member.
Cows graze freely in the Alps of southern Germany, where lush green meadows provide an unlimited source of food. Each cow wears a bell around his neck to help his owner find him.
'Alpine Cow' is clever series invented by ISFA member Axel Reichert. The first design is an action figure that portrays the cow’s bell. The second design represents the cow's head. The third design illustrates the cow's favorite food -- clover!
Here's a simple three-dimensional string figure from Africa, woven entirely on the right hand. It does not appear to be widely distributed.
In the June 1999 issue we featured a Kwakiutl figure called 'A Bear and His Den.' Here's a variation in which a mink emerges from the den rather than a bear.
Mink is one of the most important animal spirits in Kwakiutl mythology. He is foolish, amorous, and full of curiosity. He is also greedy and fond of sea-eggs. Frog-Woman dislikes him because he has a long face, small eyes, and he smells bad.
This simple figure, known to nearly every Navajo child, is probably one of the most impressive three-dimensional string figures ever invented. Drawings fail to convey its roundness and symmetry. Its construction is very easy to remember.
