Native American Fetishes

Native American people have always had a special relationship with animals. One of the ways they have sought assistance of animal spirits is through the use of fetishes. While the word ‘fetish’ can be applied to a number of ceremonial artifacts, including medicine bags, prayer sticks and peace pipes, today it is used most often to refer to a stone carved to resemble an animal and which contains the spirit of supernatural qualities of the animal.

Fetishes have been used since pre-Columbian times. Those with the most value were naturally formed stones that had the likeness of people or animals. They were considered to have great power and were thought to be ancient people or animals turned to stone. Carvers then began to create fetishes, representing the animals that lived in the world around them, each with its own spirit or significance.

Fetishes have been used in prayers and ceremonies seeking success in hunting, fishing and battle, for healing, protection, fertility, old age and abundant harvests. Native Americans believe that each fetish confers a special relationship with the animal it represents. They are used to gain the qualities of the animals they resemble and can be used to benefit an individual or an entire tribe.

The smallest fetishes could be concealed in the palm of the hand. They became popular with the arrival of the Spanish who tried to suppress their use. Today fetishes are carved in many sizes, styles and materials. Traditional materials include turquoise, shell, jet, pipestone, alabaster and serpentine. Contemporary carvers have also learned to use lapis lazuli, sugilite, azurite, amber and other semi-precious stones. Contrasting stones and other materials are often used for eyes.

Tied to the back of many fetishes are medicine bundles tightly bound with sinew. Coral in the bundle represents ocean life, blue represents birds, black represents night creatures, brown is earth, and white is winter. Some fetishes have an inlaid stone arrow, this is called a lifeline or heartline beginning at the mouth where breath gives life, it points to the soul where faith and inner-strength preside. The arrow that is placed on the fetish is given for protection and good luck. Zuni fetishes are NOT manufactured nor are they produced on demand. Each carving is a handmade work of art.

Native Americans hold these things which are least understood and most mysterious to be the most sacred and powerful, and since animal ways never can be truly understood by humans, they represent unknown powers beyond our immediate control, we may look to animal spirits as a bridge to distant greater powers. While each fetish has its own unique spirit, specific meanings have become associated with certain animal forms. Some of these are:

ALLIGATOR: Aggression, survival, adaptability

ANT: Group minded, worker

ANTELOPE: Speed, grace, rapid movement.

ARMADILLO: Slow, sure animal. No hurry, gets things right. Keeper of the home.

BADGER: Aggressiveness, perseverance. Badger is pure ego . Independent, may be sought out for healing based upon knowledge of herbs.

BAT: Guardian of the night, cleaner.

BEE: Service, gathering, community.

BEAR: Strength, introspection, the power of the soul, spiritual journey through life; inner power to perceive ones present circumstance.

BEAVER: Power of working and attaining a sense of achievement, builder, strong sense of family and home.: ability to reach desired goal.

BUFFALO: Endurance to overcome one’s weakness, great emotional courage, provider to all; endurance to rise above one’s weakness.

BUTTERFLY: The art of transformation, the ability to know or to change the mind, balance and grace.

CORN MAIDEN: Honored for nurturing her people with the flesh of her body - corn.

COYOTE: Trickster, laughter, humor and foolishness. Works well in a group. Ability to laugh at oneself.

CROW: The keeper of sacred law. Council, wisdom, resourcefulness.

DEER: The power if gentleness. Sensitivity, peace.

DOG: Loyalty, nobility, a true and loyal friend.

DOLPHIN: Trust, loyalty, spirit of friendship.

DRAGONFLY: Skill, refinement, relentlessness.

DUCK: Spirits of those who have passed on.

EAGLE: Creator, teacher, loyalty, great integrity, spirit connection to the divine. Potency and power. Spirit that transcends personal problems.

ELK: Teaches that pacing yourself will increase your stamina. Pride, power and majesty.

FISH: Purifier, character, ability to hide emotions.

FOX: Camouflage/protection, ability to meld into one’s surroundings and be unnoticed. Cleverness and discretion. Smart, quick, full of passion.

FROG: Invokes the spirits to bring rain, cleansing, peace, abundance and fertility. Warns of danger in silence.

GRIZZLY: Hunter, nature’s pharmacist

HAWK: Messenger of the gods, to observe the obvious in everything you do. Awareness, trust.

HEDGEHOG: Self preservation.

HORNED TOAD: Self-reliance, longevity, protects ancestral bounty.

HORSE: Along with the raven, has the possession of healing powers. Swiftness, strength and enlightenment. Freedom, safe movement.

HUMMINGBIRD: Messenger, stopper of time. Beauty, wonder, agility.

KOKOPELLI: Fertility, music, joy.

LIZARD: Conversation, agility. Letting go, elusiveness.

LYNX: The knower of secrets, clairvoyance ability.

MOLE: Keeper of the underground. Amplifies connection with the earth. Protector of growing crops.

MOOSE: Headstrong, unstoppable, longevity. Unpredictability, spontaneity.

MOUNTAIN LION: Leadership, resourcefulness, fortifies courage, high standards. Ability to lead without insisting others follow.

MOUSE: Scrutiny, paying attention to detail. Illusion, charm.

OPOSSUM: Diversion, ability to use a great deal of strategy.

OTTER: Laughter, joy, lightness, curiosity, mischievousness.

OWL: Keeper of the night. Controls the dark side of nature. Smart, patient, endurance of mind, essence of true wisdom. For psychic potential, wisdom, insight.

PARROT: Symbolic to the sun, as rainbows are the product of rain and sunlight.

PHEASANT: Confidence, attraction, flamboyance.

PORCUPINE: The power of faith and trust. Innocence, humility.

QUAIL: Sacred spiral, ceremonial, holy. Protectiveness, group harmony.

RABBIT: Virtue, serenity, low curiosity, quiet talent, restrained passion. The special guardian of women in childbirth. Also associated with safe childbirth. Conquering fear, safety.

RACCOON: Bandit, shy, resourceful. For getting organized.

RAM: Used to secure an increase of flocks. Personal self-worth.

RAVEN: Magic, the messenger of the great mystery, exploration of the unknown, a chance in consciousness. Healing powers.

ROADRUNNER: Mental speed and agility.

SALMON: Instinct, persistence, determination

SEAHORSE: Confidence, grace

SEAL: Family oriented, possesses power in numbers.

SHEEP: Clarity, elegance, passion. Best at the art. Talents bring riches.

SKUNK: Wary, conspicuous, intense.

SNAKE: Power of creation, of transmutation, life, death and rebirth.

SONGBIRD: Beauty and aesthetics.

SPIDER: Creative patterns of life, interconnectedness, industry.

SQUIRREL: Natural intelligence, saver, protects reserves. Trust, thrift.

SWAN: Elegance, nurturing.

TURKEY: Smart, elusive, festive.

TURTLE/TORTOISE: Oldest symbol of Mother Earth, longevity, the art of grounding, home and reliability. Protection and longevity.

WHALE: Creativity, inhibition.

WOLF: Teacher, pathfinder, sharing of your knowledge, never ending journey. Loyalty, independence. Journey for survival.

WOODPECKER: Power of rhythm and discrimination.