Photo: Arctic Symbol Rock Formation

This arctic symbol, an Inukshuk, is a cleverly balanced rock formation and can be built in a variety of sizes. This Inukshuk, seen here at sunset, is situated in the town of Churchill on the shores of Hudson Bay in Churchill Manitoba.

An inukshuk is seen as a symbol of friendship but is also used as a means of navigating the barren tundra of the arctic regions which is often void of landmarks. This rock formation with the sunset in the background, could have been built for a variety of reasons but it is always somewhat of a mystery. They were built in the arctic regions by the Inuit, Inupiat, Kalaallit and Yupik people and they exist in a place where few things can grow so they rise tall and proud above the landscape.

The Inukshuk is made of rocks and is meant to look like a human figure that stands above the frozen ground. Its name means 'in the likeness of a human' and it is thought they are most commonly used as communication tools for travelers and visitors to the region. They could be used to show or point someone the way or to let someone know others have been here before them.

The Inukshuk was modified and used as one of the symbols for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games held in Vancouver and Whistler. They can now be found all over Canada, some as decorative sculptures, but some have stood for decades and were used for communication. It is not known how long this Inukshuk has stood in Churchill Manitoba, but there is no doubt it will stand for many decades more.

Inukshuk at sunset in the town of Churchill on the shores of Hudson Bay, Manitoba, Canada.