Resources
IACA (Indian Arts and Crafts Association)
| 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 can't;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 |
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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.
2. The hunting and prey animals include:
-------See also A Guide to Zuni Fetishes & Carvings, Volume II: The Materials & Carvers by Kent McManis, Treasure Chest Books, Tucson, Arizona, 1995, 1998. |
IACA (Indian Arts and Crafts Association)