‘Yiray’ means ‘Sun’ in Wiradjuri.
In our dreamtime, before there was even a sun, only existed animals the moon & stars.. One day Dinewan the emu & Brolga the bird were arguing. Brolga got so angry that she ran over to Dinewans nest, grabbed one of her huge eggs & threw it up into the sky.
The large egg landed on a heap of firewood breaking & spilling the yellow yolk that then burst into flames. The flames were so bright that they lit up the world below, the animals were astonished by the dazzling brightness.
A good spirit who lived in the sky saw how beautiful the world looked when it was alight so he made a promise to make a fire every day, which he has done ever since.
Source- Wotjobaluk people of northern Victoria (see Massola, 1968)
The bottom represents people, a family or close group. The background is in representation of our rainbow serpent, our giver of life. This painting is very spiritual, It holds great significance and power.
