Bethesda in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Raven and the Sun

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 23, 2014

1. Raven and the Sun Marker

Inscription. The carvings on this bench depict a story from the Salish people of the northwestern United States and British Columbia, Canada. The story explains how Raven delivered the sun, moon, stars, and fire to humanity. These treasures are necessary for human survival, but came at the cost of Raven’s suffering. A powerful shaman, hostile toward people, had kept them hidden beneath the sea. Raven, disguised as a white owl, was able to win the shaman’s trust and grab the treasures. Raven then released them one by one for the benefit of humanity. When Raven carried the Sun his feathers were burned black and his claws shriveled, because he had to carry it so high and so long before he let it go in the sky.

This bench and carvings are from a western red cedar tree used for the 9/11 Pentagon totem pole.

Symbols and colors on this bench:

Sun: Healing energy, guardian of the earth by day
Raven: Creation and knowledge—bringer of the light
Red: Blood, valor
Black: Power
White: Skies and spacious heavens

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Science & Medicine.

Location. 38° 59.758′ N, 77° 5.862′ W. Marker is in Bethesda

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, Maryland, in Montgomery County. It can be reached from Wisconsin Avenue (Route 355) 0.1 miles south of Center Drive, on the right when traveling south. Marker is in front of the National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 38 Center Drive, Bethesda MD 20814, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Totem For Healing (here, next to this marker); Bear and the Steelhead (here, next to this marker); Tree of Hippocrates (a few steps from this marker); Tree I (about 400 feet away); Honoring a Century of Women's Health (approx. ¼ mile away); The Louis Stokes Laboratories (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Centennial Anchor (approx. 0.3 miles away); From Trolley to Trail: A Brief History (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bethesda.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Tree of Hippocrates (was about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 23, 2014

2. Raven and the Sun Marker

Raven and the Sun Bench image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 23, 2014

3. Raven and the Sun Bench

The Woman with the Basket and the Raven and Sun Bench image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 14, 2013

4. The Woman with the Basket and the Raven and Sun Bench

Credits. This page was last revised on September 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 594 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 11, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.