Native American Symbols & Their Meaning
| Symbol Name
| Symbol Image
| Symbol Meaning
|
| Arrow | | The native American warriors of the tribe cherished the "sacred medicine arrows" as a symbol of male power and protection.
|
| Four Ages of Man | | The 4 ages of man are; Childhood, youth, middle age and old age.
|
| Arrowhead | | Alertness
|
| Bear Track | | A Good Omen
|
| Big Mountain | | Abundance
|
| Clouds, Rain & Lightning | | Change, renewal & fertility. Related to snow, a higher blessing than rain.
|
| Morning Star | | The morning star is the brightest star on the dawn's horizon and is considered an important spirit and honored as a kachina with most Pueblo Indians. Great Basin and the Plains Indians honor it as a sign of courage and purity of spirit. For other tribes it is considered a symbol of the coming renewal of tradition and resurrection of past heroes.
|
| Sun | | A Life giver; Warmth, growth, and all that is good & well. The style shown is the sun used as a Sunface kachina mask. The "Rays" signify the 4 directions; North, South, East, & West.
|
| Zia | | Named after the Zia Pueblo, the first ones who used it, it is another symbol of the sun, and 4 directions and the repetition of life on earth. Also may be associated with the place of emergence. The Zia was the symbol for the State Flag for New Mexico State in 1912 the sun was red, honoring the Indian Nations, on a yellow field.
|
| Life Choices | | "The-man-in-the-maze" symbol is a very popular that was originally created as an illustration of a story by the Tohono o'odham (Papago Indians of the Central Valley in Arizona). The man in the maze is named "U'ki'ut'l" in their language. It is significant of life's cycles, eternal motion, and also of the choices we are always confronted with. The man in the maze symbol is also utilized by Hopi silversmiths as a way to showcase their high quality & technique.
|
| Navajo Yeii Spirit | | A spirit considered by the Navajo to be a mediator between man and his creator. Yeiis control natural forces, such as rain, day, wind, night, sun & others. A very exceptional kind of yeii is the Yei'bi'chai, grandparent spirit or "talking God" who can speak to man, teaching him how to live in harmony with all living things by following some simple rules of behavior to conserve and use well only the things he needs to survive. A symbol of the harmony achieved is the "Rainbow Man", a yeii commanding the rainbow, giving beauty to all those in harmony.
|
| Twins | | Usually shown as short men or boys who overcame great odds to defend the people from all enemies, drought, attack from other beings, animals, or many other problems. The twins illustrate the concept of duality in life.
|
| Hand | | Representing presence, work, and the achievements of man in his/her history. history.
|
| Clown | | Usually symbolize well being, good times & harvest. The most popular clown is the popular "Mud Head".
|
| Frog | | Water animal, implies renewal, fertility & springtime.
|
| Bear | | A Protector. Physical strength & leadership. Frequently mentioned as "first helper" in creation & emergence stories.
|
| Deer | | Sacrificial also family protection and of course speed.
|
| Horned Lizard | | Implies perseverance, keeping past secrets.
|
| Tadpole | | A powerful figure. The Tadpole is a symbol of change, renewal, and fertility.
|
| Turtle | | long life and annoys the coyote. The turtle is low but steady
|
| Hummingbird | | Pair of Hummingbirds symbolizes devotion and are tough fighters, small but strong.
|
| Parrot | | Symbolizes sun and rain
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| Turkey | | Symbolizes food also it is a source of feathers
|
| Eagle | | Symbolizes courage, strength, wisdom, and a special religious connection due to his association with spirits and visions.
|
| Owl | | Symbolizes nighttime and being wise, it also means good hunting skills.
|
| Whirling Logs | | Symbolizes the circle of life & the four seasons. Not to be confused with the swastika, it is "reverse" in direction.
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| Wolf Tracks | | Symbolizes direction, leadership
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| Deer Tracks | | Symbolize safety, shelter
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