Arrows There are many different depictions of arrows. They usually connote direction, force, movement, power and direction of travel, also, as seen in the bear and deer images below, the pathway of the breath, the life-force of the animal spirit, called the "heartline"



Feathers, depicted in many, many ways, are symbols of prayers, marks of honor or sources of ideas.  They represent the Creative Force, and are taken from birds connected with the attribute for which they might be utilized: goose flight feathers to fledge an arrow because of the long flights of the & Eagle feathers for honor or to connect the user with the Creator, Turkey feathers to decorate a kachina mask. As design elements, they mau appear plain, banded, barred, or decorated.



Pahos or Prayer Sticks, are carefully notched and painted cottonwood or cedar sticks with specific feathers attached to catch the wind.  They are planted in the ground at religious sites, and at springs to carry specific prayers to the Creator or to the Kachinas.  Their forms are found in many Pueblo and Navajo designs.

Circular Feather Arrangements are found on pottery, in masks, prayer fans, dance costumes and on Plains "war bonnets" They are also used in decoration on buffalo hide "counts", or story depictions in paint recounting war honors, times of historic contact and other important periods of time.  In a circular arrangement, they are related to the sun, and therefore, to the Creator.


ANIMALS




Frog, water animal, connotes renewal, Spring and fertility.



Bear, Directional Protector (West), physical strength, leaderrship, also frequently mentioned as "first helper", in creation/emergence stories.

Deer, Hunting prey animal, sacrifice and also mentioned as "first helper" in some emergence stories, family protection and speed.



Horned Lizard, represents lizards.  Also significant in some Navajo stories connoting perseverance and keeping ancient secrets.  Some say "they'll steal your eyes if you look at them too much!" They also are found in Coyote stories as ones who annoy Coyote.



Tadpole, immature frogs also connote fertility and renewal.  Because they change, they are considered very powerful.

Turtle, water animal, strength, female power fetish animal, fertility, long life, perseverance. Considered to be able to defy death, and is also an annoyance to Coyote.




Coyote, the trickster is also a powerful hunting prey god and fetish.  keen ability to find things, and is often considered an omen that something unpleasant might happen. This whimsical, new style, is an outgrowth of the popularity of the Santa Fe style, during the early 1990's.  This howling style with bandana is a copy of a cottonwood folk-sculpture first created by Santa Fe artist Ricardo Rodriguez and later mass-produced ad nauseum by anyone who wanted to sell something to the tourists.

Water Bird, symbol of renewal of life, wet seasons, rivers distant travel, long vision, wisdom.  often inaccurately called "thunderbird", which is not a Southwestern tradition, but rather one of the plains people.  In that context, connected with lightning, thunder and visions.  Those who dream of the thunderbeings must become Heyokas -- those who live out their dreams backwards (Lakota tradition) The image has also been modified and used as the symbol of the Native American Church, founded by Commanche Quannah Parker around 1910.



Hummingbirds (paired), also sometimes waterbirds, or quail, symbolized in mated pairs as symbol of devotion, permanence and eternity, life cycles.  These are often modified in many, very simple forms.  Hummingbirds are particularly known to be ferocious fighters and defenders of their territory -- many times stroger than their small size would indicate.



Parrot, connected with both the sun and with the coming of the rains.  Parrots were considered carriers of these specific prayers and would confer blessings.  Kept for their feathers and color, by many Pueblo people (secured through trade with people to the far South), and also considered a very expensive posssesion thereby denoting prosperity.

Crane, also connected with water and the end of summer, images of migratory fowl like Sandhill Cranes are common in pottery and  petroglyphs from the Mimbre culture in Southwestern New Mexico.



Turkey, and important food source, also is mentioned in several Tewa Pueblo stories. Its feathers have many ritual uses.



Owl, among the Zuni and Keres Pueblo people, the owl is respected as the guise of departed, wise elders and leaders' spirits.  A silent hunter, the owl is connected with darkness and night as well as keen eyes and skillful hunting.  Among most other cultures, the owl is considered a bad omen, portending death.

Eagle, the master of the sky, is considered a carrier of prayers. Many Indian Nations honor this bird as possessing courage, wisdom, and a special connection to the creator.  This is often confused with the "thunderbird" image concept. Eagle is also a Directional Protector(the Sky) spirit, and an image associated with spirits and visions.

Snake, found in many healing and fertility rituals, is connected with lightning, the male organ, speed, and being able to move undetected. He is usually depicted with his tongue extended. He is also considered a hunter, and in some emergence stories is "first helper", although his nature is usually more ominous.



Avanyu, the feathered skysnake.  Frequently found in Tewa, Keres and Zuni pottery and in some jewelry.  He is the storm bringer, the changer of seasons.  Connected with lightning, thunderstorms and violent, sudden change.

Dragonfly, connected with water and Springtime, fertility, & considered a messenger.



Dragonfly, this is an abstract of the dragonfly symbol, which has been used as a talisman, particularly among the Southern Pueblos, notably at Isleta where it became a double armed cross.  This was worn as a symbol of both Catholic conversion and respect for older traditions.



Cricket, the singer, is connected with Springtime, fertility and water and is often one of the ways Kokopelli, the Seed Bringer is depicted.

Plants, primary foodsources, tools, materials for basket making, healing provide many images.  Flowers are usually connected with the sun. Common ones such as corn, symbol of life, squash, beans, beansprouts and seeds are very often found in pottery.  The image here, is from a Navajo healing sandpainting, and each plant corresponds here to a compass direction as well.  One unusual symbol, the open flower at the end of the "Squash blossoms" on Navajo necklaces, were not originally from squash at all.   They were symbolic of the pomengranate, brought in by wealthy Spanish colonial settlers, and symbols of the new prosperity the Spanish introduced.  As squash blossoms were already symbols of plenty, the new image took hold easily.  Other plant images include trees, weeds (such as Devils Claw or Jimson Weed) and seed shapes.



Whirling Logs, an ancient symbol from many cultures, the North American symbol depicted the cyclic motion of life, seasons and the four winds.  Taken from the image of a tree in a whirlwind, this image is found in Navajop sand paintings frequently. It is considered a powerful medicine.