Mixed media by Julia Datchenko

This papercut reflects the idea of unity between nature, instincts, and spirituality—the image of a totemic protector who carries the soul and preserves the vital connection between generations. In Ukrainian folk tradition, the wolf is the guardian of the boundaries between worlds, a symbol of strength, courage, and instinct. In mythology, it often accompanies the sun, is a harbinger of change or a guide to the afterlife. The bird inside the wolf is a sign of the soul, the spiritual beginning. It is a combination of the animal (earthly) and spiritual (heavenly) worlds, symbolizing harmony between instinct and spirit. The tree or roots symbolize family, life, and connection with ancestors. This papercut is autobiographical, as moving to another country was painful for me, so the beast's paws resemble roots that it pulls out of the ground and must move on.