
Their birth and infancy, their youth and adolescence, their maturity in middle age, and their wisdom in their old age. This symbolizes the milestones in a person’s life. Fire was used during ceremonies to cleanse sacred items such as drums, shakers, and pipes. Fireįire represents cleansing and renewal because out of the ashes of fire, there is new growth. In a legend told by Hopi Native Indians, Kokopelli carried unborn children in the sack on his back and distributed them to women. The Kokopelli fertility symbol depicts him hunchbacked, dancing, and playing the flute. The circle has no starting point or ending point of separation, which means it cannot be broken. The circle surrounding the family represents family ties, closeness, and protection. This symbol was meant to indicate that an area had been set aside for a ceremonial dance or ritual. Their feathers were used during prayer and during special council meetings where they were held as an assurance that the person was telling the truth. They are a symbol of courage, wisdom, and strength. Eagle & Eagle FeathersĮagles are a sacred bird. They were meant as a way to communicate with the Great Spirit. Drumĭrums were an important part of ceremonies. This is because dragonflies live in water for the first year of their lives as nymphs and then metamorphose into dragonflies. Dragonflyĭragonflies symbolize happiness, speed, and purity. The direction they are facing indicates the direction of the deer. Their tracks can be used as a tool to indicate where food has been found. Deer & Deerprintsĭeer symbolize gentleness, safety, prosperity, and shelter. Therefore, this image would indicate the death of a man and a woman. When symbols appear upside down, it symbolizes death. Since the Native Americans did not have any clocks, they would have to tell time based on the positioning of the sun. These markings symbolize the passage of time. Those ceremonies are an important part of the Native American culture. The dancer indicates that a celebration or ritual dance has taken place. Some believed that the animal even had the ability to speak. CrowĬrows are a symbol of wisdom because they are one of the smartest birds in existence. CrossĬrosses symbolize the Earth’s forces, their origin, and the manner in which they work. This spirit is mischievous, selfish, deceitful, and greedy. However, they symbolize a trickster deity. The lightening symbol is closely associated to the Thunderbird, which is a powerful spirit. The rain, lightening, and clouds in this image symbolize change, renewal, and fertility. CampfireĬamp fires are meant to indicate a temporary overnight stop. They could be set up quickly and dismantled quickly, making it easy for the Native Americans to travel. These teepees were constructed from wooden poles and animal hide.

CampĬamp is meant to indicate an Indian village consisting of tepees. However a cactus could also, more literally, signify the desert.


It is a symbol of maternal love because it can endure and thrive in harsh conditions, just like a mother’s unconditional love. CactusĬacti symbolize warmth, protection, and endurance. A black butterfly signifies bad news or illness, yellow signifies hope and guidance, brown signifies important news, red signifies an important event, and white signifies good luck. However, the color of the butterfly provides further information. Butterflyīutterflies symbolize transformation. The line connecting their feet represents their equality. Brothersīrothers symbolize two people who are bound together and have shared a journey through life. The tracks are meant to indicate a specific direction. Bird & Birdprintsīirds symbolize light-hearted freedom. Meanwhile, bear prints represent leadership. It is a good omen that conveys authority. That is why bears symbolize courage and physical strength. Bear & BearprintsĪnimals act as spiritual guides because they have traits admired by humans. They are made of stone and can penetrate the skin. ArrowheadĪn arrowhead is a sharpened tip that can be added to an arrow. Meanwhile, an arrow facing to the right is meant as protection and an arrow facing down means peace. An arrow facing to the left is meant to ward off evil. By Daniella Urdinlaiz Updated OctoArrow Daniella UrdinlaizĪrrows symbolize protection and defense.
