Iconography
Featured Pillows from our Backstrap Collection
At the heart of our Backstrap Pillow Collection lies a deep respect for tradition and a spirit of creative collaboration.
Each one-of-a-kind piece is the result of a meaningful exchange between our design team and the master weavers we work with in Guatemala—artisans who bring generations of knowledge, cultural symbolism, and personal interpretation to every thread. What emerges is not just a pillow, but a textile narrative—rooted in history, reimagined through partnership. In the stories below, we explore the traditional Maya symbols woven into each design and the significance they hold.
Woven into traditional Guatemalan textiles are centuries of symbolism and storytelling, passed down through generations. Each artisan brings their own perspective and creative interpretation to the designs they create. For every pillow in our Backstrap Collection, we began by sharing inspiration with the master weavers we partner with—then stepped back to let their expertise, cultural knowledge, and artistry shape the final piece.
While many of the motifs reflect symbols commonly found in their communities, what makes this collection special is the collaborative process. Together, we’ve created something new—honoring tradition while evolving it.
Below, we share a few of the traditional symbols the artisans identified in their work and what they mean.
The middle horizontal band of the Hongo Pillow features delicate mushroom motifs—hongo means mushroom in Spanish—inspired by the enigmatic Maya Mushroom Stones unearthed at archaeological sites throughout Guatemala. These carved stones are believed to have held deep spiritual and ceremonial significance, adding an element of mystery, cultural richness, and intrigue to the design.
Framing the mushrooms are diamond shapes, symbolizing the four corners of the universe and the sun’s journey across the sky—a powerful reminder of the Maya’s connection to cosmic cycles and the natural world.
The Lava Pillow showcases bold zigzag patterns that evoke the power and presence of Guatemala’s iconic volcanoes—hence its name, Lava. Woven into the design is the feathered serpent, a revered deity symbolizing transformation, renewal, and the cyclical nature of time. This piece also highlights a unique interpretation of the diamond motif, offering a glimpse into how different weaving communities express shared symbols through their own cultural lens.
The center section of the Culebra Pillow features a striking zigzag motif that reminded our team of a culebra—Spanish for snake. In Maya culture, the serpent is a powerful symbol of rebirth, renewal, and transformation. This design also incorporates diamond shapes that represent planets, while the intersecting patterns symbolize unity and the collective strength that comes from people coming together.
The repeating zigzag motif represents the serpent—honored in Maya culture as the god of wisdom, the earth, and abundance. Along the top and bottom edges of the central panel, our team noticed the subtle suggestion of a mariposa, or butterfly, often regarded in Maya tradition as a spirit of the forest and a messenger of the soul.
This pillow showcases the iconic two-headed eagle (águila), a cherished motif in the highland community of Nahualá, where it was woven. In Maya tradition, the two-headed eagle symbolizes strength, wisdom, and the ability to see both past and future—a guardian of insight and vision. Between each row of eagles, blooming flowers are delicately woven in, an interpretation honoring Guatemala’s lush and vibrant natural landscape.
Flecha, meaning “arrow” in Spanish, draws inspiration from the bold geometric vocabulary of traditional Guatemalan textiles. Arrows and triangles are time-honored motifs, and in this design, they’re thoughtfully combined with zigzag patterns that evoke the serpent—a powerful symbol in Maya culture representing wisdom, the earth, and abundance.
Each pillow in the Backstrap Collection is more than a decorative piece—it’s a conversation between past and present, tradition and reinterpretation, artisan and designer. Through these shared efforts, we honor the cultural heritage embedded in every motif while supporting the continued practice of backstrap weaving. By working directly with artisan communities, we help preserve this centuries-old technique—one that is both a livelihood and a living expression of identity. We’re proud to celebrate the individuality of each artisan and the timeless stories woven into their work—stories that now have a place in your home.
Regan Billingsley - Founder of RB Curated
Master Weavers who helped create these pillows. Learn more about them here.