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Fetish Meanings

Armadillo
Armadillo is the keeper of the home. He is slow-moving and sure and makes sure he gets things done correctly. Armadillo represents variety in one's inner life; he is thick-skinned and reserved.

Badger
Associated with the South...the badger dominates the activities of husbandry and agriculture...relatively small but fierce and tenacious and has been known prevail over animals far larger...as such they can be counted on in tight situations to display boldness and perseverance... Badger represents passion and persistence. He will not give up until he has reached a desired goal. Living close to the ground, he has great knowledge of the earth.

Bat
Bat is the guardian of the night.

Bear
Guardian of the West...the bear is associated with great strength, power and healing. ..the great protector...the "sacred bear". Bear is the guardian fetish of the West. Bear represents strength and self-knowledge. He is a spiritual guide and also carries within him supernatural powers. Bear is a powerful healing fetish. White bear is the most powerful medicine bear.

Beaver
Beaver is industrious and diligent. He represents achievement and hard work. Beaver promotes family unity.

Bobcat or Lynx or Wildcat
Prey God of the South...elusive and intelligent, a solitary and independent hunter...believed to be helpful when hunting antelope because of a special predator/prey relationship... Bobcat is thought of as the older brother to wolf and the younger brother of mountain lion. Bobcat is the hunting animal of the South and is used by the Zuni when hunting antelope. Bobcat also represents clairvoyance and is a secret keeper.

Buffalo
Buffalo represents prophesy and fulfillment of powers. Buffalo also represents a steadfast endurance to rise above one's weaknesses.

Butterfly
Butterfly represents beauty and transformation. Butterfly also represents rebirth.

Corn Maiden
Corn Maiden represents strength, creation, and wisdom.

Coyote
Hunter God of the West...the coyote is respected for his knowledge and survival skills if not for his actions...the master trickster who often tricks himself. He represents humor and the ability to laugh at one's own mistakes.

Crow
Crow is the keeper of the sacred law.

Deer
Deer represents grace and gratitude. Deer is gentle and has the ability to sacrifice for the greater good. He also represents agility and speed.

Dog
Dog represents a true friend and is very loyal.

Dolphin
Dolphin represents the spirit of trust and friendship. He is very loyal.

Duck
Duck represents the spirits of those who have passed on.

Eagle
Eagle is the guardian fetish of the Upper region. Eagle carries the power of intuition and creativeness, along with the powers of healing and spirit. His spirit transcends personal problems and he symbolizes becoming one with the Greater Spirit. He represents vision and higher truths.

Elk
Elk represents the ability to pace oneself and gain increasing stamina. He represents confidence and power.

Falcon
Falcon represents power and harmony. He is intuitive and has the ability to see the big picture.

Fish
Fish represents the ability to hide one's emotions. Fish is a purifier.

Fox
Fox is clever and observant. He has the ability to blend in with his surroundings and is very loyal to loved ones.

Frog
Frogs are associated with water and rain. He asks the spirits to bring abundant rain. Frog is also the fertility fetish. Women often keep a frog fetish by their bed when hoping to become pregnant. Frogs and tadpoles represent the cycle of life.

Hawk
Hawk is the messenger of the gods. He represents energy and inspiration.

Horned Lizard
Horned Lizard represents longevity and self-reliance.

Horse
Horse represents partnerships and strength. He also represents power and expanding one's abilities. Horse has innate healing powers.

Hummingbird
Hummingbird is a messenger and represents the ability to stop time. He also represents joy and beauty.

Lizard
Lizard represents patience and wisdom. He also represents conversation and agility.

Mole
Hunter God of the lower regions...protects crops from disease at their roots...destroys mice, rats and other small animals that threaten the harvest... He represents awareness and grounding and has the ability to look inward.

Moose
Moose is headstrong and represents longevity.

Mountain Lion
"Directional Guardian and prey god of the North...The mountain lion spirit is associated with personal power and resourcefulness, independence, leadership, spiritual intensity, intuition, fierce protectiveness and loyalty." Mountain lion is carried by travelers to protect them on their journey and also carried by hunters to help ensure a successful hunt.

Mouse
Mouse represents attention to detail.

Opossum
The opossum is a strategist.

Otter
Otter is playful and represents laughter and curiosity. He represents the balanced female side.

Owl
Owl is the protector of the home. He represents wisdom and truth and has the ability to see what others cannot.

Parrot
Parrot is symbolic of the sun. Like a rainbow, he is made with rain, sun, and light.

Porcupine
Porcupine represents the power of faith and trust.

Quail
Quail represents holiness and the sacred spirit.

Rabbit
Rabbit represents gentleness, charm, and awareness of others. Rabbit is the special guardian of women in childbirth and is associated with safe childbirth and a long life for children. He also represents virtue and serenity.

Raccoon
Raccoon is shy and resourceful.

Ram
Ram is used to help increase the herds.

Raven
Raven is clever and represents magic and transformation. He is a messenger of great mystery and represents a change in consciousness. He helps guide us through the darkest of times.

Skunk
Skunk represents inner strength, self-respect, and a good reputation.

Snake
Snake represents primitive energy and helps us connect with greater powers. He symbolizes life, death, and rebirth. He is believed to have curative powers and is also associated with lightning. Snake is very important in Zuni ceremonies.

Spider
Spider represents the creative patterns of life.

Squirrel
Squirrel represents the ability to plan ahead and is very industrious. He represents natural intelligence and the protector of reserves.

Turtle
Turtle is a symbol of Mother Earth. He represents self-reliance, tenacity, and longevity.

Wolf
Wolf is Guardian and Prey God of the East...because of its pack behavior, the wolf spirit represents not just successful hunting, but also the ability to work together for the good of the group...these fetishes given to newlyweds, invoke in that couple the strong family bond exemplified in wolf pairs......Wolf represents loyalty and family values. A pair of wolves is often carved together, representing the wolf's characteristic of mating for life. Wolf is a teacher, pathfinder, and represents a sharing of knowledge. He teaches us inner guidance and clarity.

Want to learn more about fetishes? We highly recommend the book "Native American Fetishes" by Kay Whittle, available for sale in our book section.

Armadillo 
Armadillo is the keeper of the home. He is slow-moving and sure and makes sure he gets things done correctly. Armadillo represents variety in one's inner life; he is thick-skinned and reserved.

Badger 
Associated with the South...the badger dominates the activities of husbandry and agriculture...relatively small but fierce and tenacious and has been known prevail over animals far larger...as such they can be counted on in tight situations to display boldness and perseverance... Badger represents passion and persistence. He will not give up until he has reached a desired goal. Living close to the ground, he has great knowledge of the earth.

Bat 
Bat is the guardian of the night.

Bear 
Guardian of the West...the bear is associated with great strength, power and healing. ..the great protector...the "sacred bear". Bear is the guardian fetish of the West. Bear represents strength and self-knowledge. He is a spiritual guide and also carries within him supernatural powers. Bear is a powerful healing fetish. White bear is the most powerful medicine bear.

Beaver 
Beaver is industrious and diligent. He represents achievement and hard work. Beaver promotes family unity.

Bobcat or Lynx or Wildcat
Prey God of the South...elusive and intelligent, a solitary and independent hunter...believed to be helpful when hunting antelope because of a special predator/prey relationship... Bobcat is thought of as the older brother to wolf and the younger brother of mountain lion. Bobcat is the hunting animal of the South and is used by the Zuni when hunting antelope. Bobcat also represents clairvoyance and is a secret keeper.

Buffalo 
Buffalo represents prophesy and fulfillment of powers. Buffalo also represents a steadfast endurance to rise above one's weaknesses.

Butterfly 
Butterfly represents beauty and transformation. Butterfly also represents rebirth.

Corn Maiden 
Corn Maiden represents strength, creation, and wisdom.

Coyote 
Hunter God of the West...the coyote is respected for his knowledge and survival skills if not for his actions...the master trickster who often tricks himself. He represents humor and the ability to laugh at one's own mistakes.

Crow 
Crow is the keeper of the sacred law.

Deer 
Deer represents grace and gratitude. Deer is gentle and has the ability to sacrifice for the greater good. He also represents agility and speed.

Dog 
Dog represents a true friend and is very loyal.

Dolphin 
Dolphin represents the spirit of trust and friendship. He is very loyal.

Duck 
Duck represents the spirits of those who have passed on.

Eagle 
Eagle is the guardian fetish of the Upper region. Eagle carries the power of intuition and creativeness, along with the powers of healing and spirit. His spirit transcends personal problems and he symbolizes becoming one with the Greater Spirit. He represents vision and higher truths.

Elk 
Elk represents the ability to pace oneself and gain increasing stamina. He represents confidence and power.

Falcon 
Falcon represents power and harmony. He is intuitive and has the ability to see the big picture.

Fish 
Fish represents the ability to hide one's emotions. Fish is a purifier.

Fox 
Fox is clever and observant. He has the ability to blend in with his surroundings and is very loyal to loved ones.

Frog 
Frogs are associated with water and rain. He asks the spirits to bring abundant rain. Frog is also the fertility fetish. Women often keep a frog fetish by their bed when hoping to become pregnant. Frogs and tadpoles represent the cycle of life.

Hawk 
Hawk is the messenger of the gods. He represents energy and inspiration.

Horned Lizard 
Horned Lizard represents longevity and self-reliance.

Horse 
Horse represents partnerships and strength. He also represents power and expanding one's abilities. Horse has innate healing powers.

Hummingbird 
Hummingbird is a messenger and represents the ability to stop time. He also represents joy and beauty.

Lizard 
Lizard represents patience and wisdom. He also represents conversation and agility.

Mole 
Hunter God of the lower regions...protects crops from disease at their roots...destroys mice, rats and other small animals that threaten the harvest... He represents awareness and grounding and has the ability to look inward.

Moose 
Moose is headstrong and represents longevity.

Mountain Lion 
"Directional Guardian and prey god of the North...The mountain lion spirit is associated with personal power and resourcefulness, independence, leadership, spiritual intensity, intuition, fierce protectiveness and loyalty." Mountain lion is carried by travelers to protect them on their journey and also carried by hunters to help ensure a successful hunt.

Mouse 
Mouse represents attention to detail.

Opossum
The opossum is a strategist.

Otter 
Otter is playful and represents laughter and curiosity. He represents the balanced female side.

Owl 
Owl is the protector of the home. He represents wisdom and truth and has the ability to see what others cannot.

Parrot 
Parrot is symbolic of the sun. Like a rainbow, he is made with rain, sun, and light.

Porcupine 
Porcupine represents the power of faith and trust.

Quail 
Quail represents holiness and the sacred spirit.

Rabbit 
Rabbit represents gentleness, charm, and awareness of others. Rabbit is the special guardian of women in childbirth and is associated with safe childbirth and a long life for children. He also represents virtue and serenity.

Raccoon 
Raccoon is shy and resourceful.

Ram 
Ram is used to help increase the herds.

Raven 
Raven is clever and represents magic and transformation. He is a messenger of great mystery and represents a change in consciousness. He helps guide us through the darkest of times.

Skunk 
Skunk represents inner strength, self-respect, and a good reputation.

Snake 
Snake represents primitive energy and helps us connect with greater powers. He symbolizes life, death, and rebirth. He is believed to have curative powers and is also associated with lightning. Snake is very important in Zuni ceremonies.

Spider 
Spider represents the creative patterns of life.

Squirrel 
Squirrel represents the ability to plan ahead and is very industrious. He represents natural intelligence and the protector of reserves.

Turtle 
Turtle is a symbol of Mother Earth. He represents self-reliance, tenacity, and longevity.

Wolf
Wolf is Guardian and Prey God of the East...because of its pack behavior, the wolf spirit represents not just successful hunting, but also the ability to work together for the good of the group...these fetishes given to newlyweds, invoke in that couple the strong family bond exemplified in wolf pairs......Wolf represents loyalty and family values. A pair of wolves is often carved together, representing the wolf's characteristic of mating for life. Wolf is a teacher, pathfinder, and represents a sharing of knowledge. He teaches us inner guidance and clarity.

Want to learn more about fetishes?  We highly recommend the book "Native American Fetishes" by Kay Whittle, available for sale in our book section.

At Sacred Bear we are committed to bringing you Authentic Native American Indian art…that’s why we support the IACA. Established in 1974, IACA's mission is to support, preserve and protect authentic American Indian arts and crafts.

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Indian Arts & Crafts Association

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