Willow Tree Figurines and Angels

So far all I’ve talked about on this site is Willow Tree figurines but there are quite a few more products associated with Willow tree than just their figurines. Although the angels are sculptures just like the figurines, they are placed in a special category of their own because they mean such completely different things than the pieces in the figurines category.

What the Willow Tree product line seems to thrive on is broad ideas that can mean something very personal to anyone regardless of race, culture or anything else that separates people in this world. Angels are widely thought of as portrayals of life after death and these can be seen in that way. But to those who don’t believe in that sort of thing though, the idea of angels can mean something completely different and just as powerful.

They can look over us or they can live within us to keep us strong, to help us in our daily lives or to succeed in a particular endeavor. They represent an invisible force in our lives that help us to do the things we want, to keep us safe or just to generally keep on eye out for us and make us feel loved.

The range of angels that Susan Lordi has created for Willow Tree are made as reminders that those invisible forces are around and we should not forget them. Whether you believe that the invisible force is a loved one that has passed on and is now keeping a watchful eye over you, or whether you think it is a power inside of you that allows you to do things you didn’t know you could do or even just get through the day, having a physical reminder that it is there can be a strong symbol for you.

There are angels for all sorts of different things such as just being there to watch out for you like the “Guardian Angel” piece, or to help you out with a hobby you may enjoy like the “Angel of the Garden” piece. These, like the figurines, can represent very personal ideas for any particular individual, but I think are more symbolic of your inner-most feelings rather than a feeling you can outwardly express for a person such as in the figurine poses.

Because your inner–most feelings are harder to express, the angel figurines tend to include objects more often than the figurines as Susan uses objects to symbolize different ideas and they can really help emphasize those sentiments.  Like for example the “Angel of Wonder” holds a small golden sphere close to her face and leers into it.  If this was to represent an invisible force that resides within us then the golden sphere could symbolize the world we live in with that urge inside of us wanting to find out more about it and what makes it the way it is.

That’s just one take on the meaning of that one angel though, there are a lot more to look at and interpret in different ways and in doing so you might just find one that speaks to you like that invisible force within.

One of the most defining features of Willow Tree Figurines is of course the lack of facial features and thus expressions on the sculptures faces. This means that each figurines body language is of great importance to each piece and what it represents.

The poses the figurines are crafted into are very purposeful to be definitive of the relationship or emotion it is attempting to portray, of course this will vary from person to person but the general idea is universal. For example the figurine “Angel of Mine” portrays a mother lovingly holding her baby under her chin, which will mean something different for a child and a mother, but to both it will represent a pure and great love.

Many, if not all of the sculptures poses are as simple as this one but I’ll repeat what I said in my first post: it’s all about simplicity. This simple act of cradling a baby close to your chest, nestling its head under your cheek is a very strong example of body language because it so inherently portrays love in such a pure form.

Not every piece is meant to portray a relationship though, there are several that show single figurines that are representative of different emotions. One example is “Free Spirit” in which the figurine has been carved in what looks to be the midst of swaying around carelessly. Holding one hand in the other beneath its cheek, elbows poised in the air, the pose suggests such freeness, happiness and love of life. This is another very simple pose that portrays such a huge emotion in quite a particular way.

One more variation that can be found in some Willow Tree figurines are pieces that involve animals or objects. Although a lot can be said within just a simple pose, with the use of an animal or object so much more can be implied through the symbolism.

A quote from Susan Lordi, creator of Willow Tree:

“I like to use animals or objects from nature, which can be metaphors for human experiences…rosemary for remembrance, a bird for healing, flowers for beauty.  These items can mean different things to different viewers.  I try to give each piece another level of meaning that’s not always obvious — that the viewer can sense or imagine.”

With the piece called “Happiness” the figurine has her arms wide open, face looking up, hair flowing back in the wind and sitting on her open arms are some bluebirds ready to take flight. This piece screams “FREEDOM!” louder than Braveheart with the aid of the symbolism of the birds.

There are so many examples of symbolism throughout the pieces to enjoy and interpret, leave a comment and tell me some of your favorite uses of it!