Memory.

In the outer ring, soaring high in the sky, the åcho’ atupat  between two frigate birds flying in opposite directions.  The points facing out of the circle represents the mountains peaks and the points facing in the circle represents rain fall.  This ring embodies the element of Air.

The next ring inside, traversing our oceans, is the sakman or canoe.  It is guided by tuninos or dolphin.  The dolphins are depicted swimming clockwise, representing the ocean currents in our region.  This ring embodies the element of water.

Next inside, used for sustenance, is our pottery.  Lines and circles were common on ancient CHamoru pottery.  In this design the circles and lines are the kadena or chain, representing the Mariana Islands archipelago.  These ring embodies the element of fire.

The final ring, is the latte. It holds and supports the guma' (house) above the ground, but is also a symbol of cultural pride and strength. Like in physical form, it supports and lifts high our thousands of years old CHamoru traditions, practices, and stories that surrounds it. The open spaces between the latte are the silhouettes of our ancestors who lived and died keeping our ways of life alive. This ring embodies the element of earth.

At the center, in the shape of a double helix, is our bloodline. Our connection. Our proof that we have been here before the ways of western religion. At the top and bottom of the circle are 2 canoes. Unforeseen circumstances can take us away from our mother land and sometimes making us lost, but ancestral knowledge will always help you find a way back home, wherever you make it.

Designed and inspired by a sketch from my godson,
Caleb "Hinasso" Cruz to which this was named after.