Zuni Fetishes Direct: 877-610-3800
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Zuni Fetishes Direct
300 East 66, Gallup, NM 87301 USA
(505) 870-4310

In business since 1991


About Fetishes - Zuni Fetish Meanings

Fetish    Meaning
Armadillo-Slow, Sure, Gets things right. Keeper of the home
Badger-Aggressiveness, Perseverance, the ability to reach a desired goal
Bat-Guardian of the night, cleaner
Bear-Strength, Introspection, spiritual journey though life. The white bear is medicine.
Beaver-Builder, hardworking, power of working and attaining a sense of achievement
Bobcat-Knows secrets, clairvoyance ability
Buffalo-Endurance to overcome, great emotional courage provider to all
Butterfly-The art of transformation, the ability to know or to change the mind
Coyote-Laughter, humor and foolishness, the master trickster who tricks himself
Crow-Keeper of sacred law
Deer-Gentleness
Dog-true friend, loyal
Dolphin-spirit of friendship, trust, loyalty
Duck- spirits of those who passed on
Eagle-a connection with the divine, a soaring spirit that transcends Personal problems, creator, teacher, great integrity
Elk-Teaches that pacing yourself will increase your stamina
Fish-Ability to hide emotions, purifier
Fox-Camouflage, protection
Frog- Bringer of rain, abundance, and fertility
Hawk-messenger of the gods
Horned Toad- Longevity, self-reliance
Horse-possesses healing powers, swiftness, strength
Hummingbird-messenger, stopper of time
Lizard-conversation, agility
Mole- Keeper of the underground and crops
Moose-headstrong, unstoppable, longevity
Mountain Lion-leadership, resourcefulness
Mouse-paying attention to detail, scrutiny
Otter-Laughter, curiosity, mischievous Women medicine, the balanced female side
Owl-Can see what others canžt, essence of true wisdom. Protector of the home.
Parrot-symbolic to the sun, as rainbows are the product of rain and sunlight
Porcupine-the power of faith and trust
Quail-sacred spirit, ceremonial, holy
Rabbit-The special guardian of women in child birth, also associated with safe birth and long life for children
Raccoon-Bandit, shy, resourceful
Ram-sense of self worth,
Raven-Magic, the messenger of the great mystery, a change in consciousness
Seal-family oriented, possesses power in numbers
Skunk-vary, conspicuous, intense
Snake-life, death, rebirth
Spider-creative patterns of life
Squirrel-natural intelligence, saver, protects reserves
Turkey-smart, elusive, festive
Turtle-oldest symbol of Mother Earth, longevity
Wolf- Teacher, pathfinder, sharing of your knowledge, never ending journey

More About Fetishes

A fetish is a Native American carving believed to have power. Many Native American tribes create and use fetishes, the most renowned fetish carvers are the Zuni, who call themselves Asiwi (Ah-she-wee).

The Zuni have used fetishes for many purposes: to enable hunters to catch game, to make game more plentiful, and also for curing ceremonies. Fetishes may protect individuals as well as the community. The Zuni believe that animals are more like the deities and have more power than man. They also believe that both practical and spiritual power reside in their fetishes.

There are two major groupings of fetishes (and some overlap between then):
  1. Protective or healing animals include:
    • the mountain lion
    • the bear
    • the badger
    • the wolf
    • the eagle
    • the mole
  2. The hunting and prey animals include:
    • the mountain lion
    • the coyote
    • the bobcat
    • the wolf
    • the eagle
    • the mole

-------The above information is from A Guide to Zuni Fetishes & Carvings, Volume I: The Animals & Carvers by Kent McManis, Treasure Chest Books, Tucson, Arizona, 1995, 1998.

-------See also A Guide to Zuni Fetishes & Carvings, Volume II: The Materials & Carvers by Kent McManis, Treasure Chest Books, Tucson, Arizona, 1995, 1998.

Resources

IACA (Indian Arts and Crafts Association)

SMiaca


 

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Zuni Fetishes Direct
Toll Free: 877-610-3800, Store: 505-726-2430,
505-870-4310, Fax: 505-726-2437
sales@zunifetishesdirect.com
300 East 66, Gallup, NM 87301 USA (©2001-2005)

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