Scorpion Crown
Description
In “Scorpion Crown,” Florah Maphosa draws from Zimbabwean beliefs where the scorpion, gondo remvura, is seen as a guardian of secrets, a symbol of inner fire, resilience, and spiritual alertness. The woman’s face is split into warm orange and deep purple, expressing the dual forces found in Shona cosmology: chiedza (light, openness) and rima (mystery, intuition).
The scorpion resting on her head represents the burden and blessing of awareness—the ability to sense danger, read unseen energies, and protect oneself. Though feared, scorpions are admired for their strength, strategy and silent power. By accepting it as her crown, she transforms fear into identity, making its sharpness part of her wisdom.
The gold earrings anchor her to cultural heritage, suggesting that the lessons carried by this creature—caution, courage, transformation—become something valuable woven into her feminine strength.Try it!
