Many Native American Designs and Symbols were used by the Native Indians to convey secret meanings. These designs and symbols had meanings and were used as an unusual form of communication.
The Native American Designs and symbols were often based on geometric representations of celestial such as stars, the sun, and the moon, natural phenomena like rain and thunderstorms and animal designs such as eagles, spiders, and serpents. Warpaints worn by Native Indian warriors had secret designs and symbols. Most designs and symbols were sacred expressing various religious beliefs. Other designs and symbols conveyed messages immediately identifiable by other tribes. Native American designs and symbols used by Native Indians also had useful purposes such as providing directions, recording important events, warning signs, and indicating good hunting areas.
Most of the designs and symbols used by Indigenous Indians were simple pictograms. This conveys a story through the use of pictures that signified and resembled physical objects or people. Another form of a pictogram is an ideogram which conveys complex opinions, emotions, and feelings. A pictogram is a way of writing that uses drawings and representations. It tells a story using designs and symbols.
Some Common Native American Designs and Symbols with their Meaning
- Arrow signified defense and protection
- Arrowhead signified alertness
- Ayanyu signified a caring but fearful creature
- Bear signified leadership, courage, and physical strength
- Bird Man embodied the Upperworld, light, and order
- Bird Track signified light-hearted freedom. These tracks of animals were used to show a direction.
- Brothers signified blood brothers or brothers.
- Butterfly signified transformation
- Cactus signified endurance, protection, and warmth
- Campfire signified temporary overnight stop
- Circle symbols signified the cycle of seasons, life to death, and the four elements
- Change signified weather-related symbols like clouds, rain, and lightning. These are relevant symbols representing fertility, renewal, and change.
- Courage-Morning Star signified guidance and hope.
- Dancer signified a ritual dance or celebration
- Eagle signified strength, wisdom, and courage.
- Feathers signified honor and connection with the Creator
- Great Serpent signified a wicked creature
- Hummingbird signified happiness, peace, and love.
- Moon signified guardian of earth or protector
- Raccoon signified secrecy or an expert at disguise
- Red Horn signified a great hero
- Turtle signified long life and good health
- Wolf signified endurance, strength, family values, and intelligence
