In the Arikara’s oral traditions, Mother Corn is revered as the maternal spiritual being sent by the most high spiritual being, “The Chief that sits Above” or God. Mother corn brought the people from under the ground, guiding them to the place where they have become beings among the many nations.  She pitied the people in this portrayal as she stands before the “Chief that Sits Above” asking for spiritual teachings and ceremonies to gift the people to help them live holy lives. Her request was heard as she gifted the Sáhniš the Medicine Lodge for prayer and ceremonies. The kernels of Mother Corn are colored Yellow, Red, White and Black to represent the semi-cardinal directions, the powers associated with each direction, four nations, and four stages of life. She is cloaked in a red garment to represent her protective nature as a Mother and it is draped over two radiating beams displaying the yellow light of enlightenment to white-purity. The lodge is shrouded by a gathering of clouds to evoke a heavenly vision of what was and what can be.  12 spirit lights are positioned to symbolize the 12 sacred bundles in the Medicine Lodge. An unlit fire centers the lodge, awaiting the return of life to the lodge.  In the foreground the medicine Lodge Altar is prepared. In the upper Northwest corner the haze of sunrise colors signifies that the new day is coming, marked with the Morning Star.