Community Center for the American Indians in Texas - At the Spanish Colonial Missions

For many of the First People of America, the turtle holds significant symbolism in the concept of time. A common creation story, referred to as “Turtle Island,” describes how we all live on the back of an ancient turtle. When it comes to deciphering time, turtle shells were used as calendars to keep track of the 13 lunar months. In addition, the turtle is linked to Yanaguana, or spirit waters, which characterize San Antonio. This project aims to bring the importance of the turtle to life by embracing its form and creating a passage of reverence, community, and heart.

To represent this passage, the colors blue, yellow, and red are used, each with its own relevance to the First People. Blue represents the spiritual world and the intangible realm, yellow represents community, and red symbolizes life in the physical world as well as the blood that flows through everyone.