Manataka American Indian Council
SYMBOLS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
By
Takatoka, research by Spirit Seeker
UNDERSTANDING SYMBOLS
Symbols of the American Indian are
very interesting. They represent the past and sometimes the
future. They tell mysterious stories of old cultures and give
life and understanding to the study of those simple, yet complex
people who lived in balance with nature and communicated their
beliefs, dreams, and reality in symbols. Yet, at the same time
they are an enigma. Some are difficult if not impossible
to decipher.
In most
cases, American Indian symbols are thousands of years old and are
not easily interpreted. Some petroglyphs are thought to have
been made as early as 5000 BC, however, there is no way to
date the stone drawings. Many times, the exact meaning of a symbol
has been lost to time or changed by passing generations or other
cultures. There are thousands of symbols found in areas
stretching from coast to coast. Some are as large in size as
several football fields and others are smaller than a
thumbnail.
Symbols of
the American Indian come down to us in many forms. Some are
beaded on elaborate wampum belts, others are found on strips of
buffalo hide and more are seen chiseled on stone. Probably the
most reliable, in terms of graphic interpretation, are those found
in the Southwest commonly called 'rock art'. According
to some estimates there are over 50,000 "known" stone petroglyphs
and pictographs in the Southwest and West alone. Many
more probably exist in remote areas or covered by modern
civilization. Certainly, more existed prior to the European
invasion.
Contrary to
common belief, most symbols were not spiritual in nature. Some
symbols were directional signs placed to mark a trail, identify
territory, show the way to water, important places or some other
natural or cultural feature. Other symbols identified
tribes or clans. Symbols were used to record history such as a
memorable hunt or extraordinary deed. Stories were told using
symbols to illustrate characters or events. Other symbols were
used as to identify astrological bodies and mark the position and
movement of the sun, moon and stars.
A symbols is defined as a graphic or material
object that represents something else, usually something immaterial
such as an idea, belief, or figure. Many symbols also incorporate
decorative pattern designs. Some common symbols and designs
used in making pottery and basket of today were merely decorative
and had no other meaning or purpose.
Spiritual life of the ancients required the use of many
symbols. Those symbols were made for various spiritual reasons
in different times and regions and thus difficult to
interpret. Religious ceremonies, stories and sacred beings
were depicted.
The
exact meaning of ancient symbols of indigenous people is not
possible in many instances. There is strong evidence that a
single symbol may have had several meanings. The 'ascribed'
meanings placed on symbols by modern scholars are not necessarily
those intended by the makers. When one tribe would borrow a
symbol belonging to another, the meaning they gave to it was
sometimes quite different from the originators. Therefore,
meanings change from tribe to tribe and from one region to
another.
The problem
of interpretation is compounded when one culture attempts to
attribute a certain meaning to a symbol made by another culture
living in another time. Time has had a great impact on our
inability to correctly decipher the meanings. The migrations
of many indigenous people created knowledge gaps. Cultural
differences between generations caused meanings to degenerate.
The mystery of Indian symbols
is what make their study so very interesting.
We have divided our brief study of
American Indian symbols into five major categories based on where
they are found. Eastern Woodlands, Southeast, Southwest,
Plains and Northwest.
Symbols, patterns and signs of the
Southwest are intriguing to most visitors. The largest number
of petroglyphs and pictographs on the North American continent are
found in seven
states in the Southwest, therefore, It is there will begin our
discussion.
SYMBOLS
OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
Southwest
Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah have an estimated 30,000 petroglyphs, with Utah having the largest number of over 7,500. Texas, California and Nevada having fewer known sites but none the less fascinating.
PLACES
TO FIND AMERICAN INDIAN PETROGLYPHS AND PICTOGRAPHS
Deer Valley
Rock Art Center - Phoenix, Arizona
Mesa Verde National Park - Cortez, Arizona
Painted Rocks Petroglyph Site - Gila Bend, Arizona
Petrified Forest National Park - Holbrook, Arizona
Saguaro National Monument - Tucson, Arizona
Petroglyph and
Renegade Canyons - Coso Range, California
Pictograph
Point - Mesa Verde, Colorado
Grapevine
Canyon - Bullhead, Nevada
Valley of Fire State Park - Las Vegas, Nevada
Bandelier
National Monument - Santa Fe, New Mexico
Chaco Culture National Historic Park - Thoreau, New
Mexico
El Morro National Monument - Zuni, New Mexico
Petroglyph National Monument - Albuquerque, New Mexico
Three Rivers Petroglyph Site - Three Rivers, New Mexico
Hueco Tanks
State Park - El Paso, Texas
Petroglyphs Area - Diablo Dam, Texas
Seminole Canyon State Park - Del Rio, Texas
Canyonland
National Park - Moab, Utah
Dinosaur National Monument - Vernal, Utah
Fremont Indian State Park - Monticello, Utah
Newspaper Rock Site - Monticello, Utah
Nine Mile Canyon - Price, Utah
It should be noted here the places noted above are protected areas and open to the public. There are literally hundreds of more sites still unprotected therefore we do not list them.
The two
figures shown here are forms of the Hopi nakwách symbol of brotherhood made when two priests clasp hands
during the Wuwuchim
dance - the dance of the linked finger. The Ute also carried
the same type friendship symbol. The design is also a sign for
water.
The
kokopelli, mahu or humpback flute player is found carved on stones
from South America to Canada. Koko means wood; pilau
means hump. His hump carried seeds and rainbows. In his
flute he carried music of warmth and love. His large
penis is a symbol of fertility and abundance.
The
dancer is reminiscent of
kokopelli without the flute and humpback or special powers to bring
rain and create abundance. Stories of the dancer vary but is
said the he lured the young away from their homes and made them
slaves.
The
handprint was a signature of the
maker of a symbol and a prayer to the Spirits to bring about the
object that was drawn such as clouds for rain. The handprint
had supernatural importance. The red hand print was a sign of
the Elder War God. The left hand, considered more sacred than
the food hand was placed on objects of religious meaning.
Figures of
the Hopi God of
Death, Maasaw and the track of Maasaw
(left) are used in modern times to mark graves to keep young people
from destroying it. "Look in the valleys, the rocks and the
woods you will find my footsteps there," said Masau. And,
there are….
The connected
circles are similar to the keptevipi, a religious tool used by the Niman (Hopi) to purify the
earth. Also thought to be the eyes of the guardian of the gila
monster, an insect with four eyes. It is the Mayan
symbol for the day Ahua and the planet Venus - the morning
star.
There are two
forms to the Hopi Tapu'a,
Mother Earth symbol, square and round representing spiritual
rebirth. The passages in the maze represent the Creator's universal
plan man must follow. The Pimas call it the House of
Teuhu
(Gopher).
SPIRITS
OF THE EARTH by Bobby Lake Thom
Lake-Thom, who has studied with the elders of many tribes, explains the significance of animal figures as manifestations of good or evil, and shows how we can develop our own powers of awareness and intuition. The first book of its kind, this practical and enlightening resource includes dozens of fascinating animal myths and legends, as well as exercises and activities that draw upon animal powers for guidance, healing, wisdom, and the expansion of spiritual influences in our lives. You'll discover here how animals, birds, and insects act as signs and omens; the significance of vision quests; how to make and use a medicine wheel; the role of spirit symbols - and how they affect the unconscious; exercises for creative dreaming; the power of the earth-healing ceremony; how to increase your spiritual strength and create sacred spaces; and more. Soft Cover, 210pp $ 27.95
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