Iroquois Confederacy PART I. Because of the length of study on this topic, we have devoted two pages on our site to this topic. This page is about the Iroquois Confederacy. Click here for PART
“Love settles within the circle, embracing it and thereby lasting forever, turning within itself.” —Luther Standing Bear, Oglala Sioux The Sacred Circle You have noticed that everything an Indian does is in a circle, and that is because the power of the world always works in circles, and everything tries to be round. In the […]
by Barbara Bechtel Throughout history, many religions and cultures have used jewelry as a means of imparting cultural and religious symbols and patterns into their work. However, you don't have to be a world traveler or an anthropologist to find inspiration for your own artisan made jewelry. The internet and your local library offer a wealth of research options to find meaningful and beautiful symbols to inspire your own work.... Here are just a few that have inspired me over the years.... The Maasai women have long been known for their intricate beaded designs and body modification. Originally, the delicate beads and their colors came from traditional means such as bone, stone, and horn but lost favor when trading with Europe and they were able to gain access to larger quantities of their now favored opaque Czech glass. Tradtional Japanese Netsuke and their counterparts, Ojime and Inro, were intricately carved adornments for the obi. Generally serving as a closure (much like a button) for a small pouch, this unique art form is still a popular craft and art form today. Traditionally, they depicted popular animals, deities, nature, and even professions or popular subjects of the day. You need not look any further than your own personal religious beliefs to find beautiful symbols. To expand on this idea, consult historical and religious texts or references to find variations of symbols through out history. In addition to the traditional symbols, look for other symbolic references in the stories of different religions, in example the rainbow in Christianity or the Hamsa in many different religions. Indigenous cultures and tribes throughout the world often used symbols in their writings, weavings and jewelry. Research into different groups can not only inform your work but also enlighten you about art history! Here are some additional references to get you started: PBS: Craft in America : Not only does this series research the rich history of American Craft; many episodes highlight artists working in traditional methods and symbology of their cultural heritage. Signs and Symbols in Christian Art: This book is a wonderful reference for traditional symbols used throughout art history. Also a great reference if you enjoy western art history. Religious-Symbols.net: Is a great basic site that overviews different religious symbols and their meaning. A great jumping point for your research. If you have any wonderful references, I'd love to hear them below!
As in all aspects of their lives, Native Americans used materials from Nature in ingenious ways to make weapons.RED FRAMED IMAGE ABOVE: ©NATIVEARTSTRADING / NativeArtsTrading.comNative Americans' weapons were used for hunting, protection, butchering and other daily tasks of living, and war. Various weapons were designed for various tasks: striking, cutting, piercing, and, sometimes, even poisoning. These weapons, as with the clothing, housing, and other artifacts they created, also had rich symb
In-depth Butterfly Symbolism & Butterfly Meanings! Butterfly as a Spirit, Totem, & Power Animal. Butterflies in Celtic & Native American Symbols & Dreams!
Boy Scouts cofounder and avid outdoorsman "Uncle Dan" Beard researched the secret languages of trappers, hobos, steamer pilots, and Native American tribes to compile this comprehensive resource of pictographs and other encoded communication symbols. First published nearly a century ago, this practical reference provides Scouts and other lovers of the outdoors with an ever-useful guide to following trails and interpreting their surroundings.Uncle Dan leads readers from basic directional signs to danger signals of land and sea, chalk and map signs of animals, symbols of the elements, celestial characters, and marks of the seasons and of time. He explains common gesture language, signal codes, flag signaling, animal tracking, and a host of other well-illustrated signs, signals, and symbols. This timeless manual provides valuable insights that will enrich the adventures of hunters, campers, backpackers, Scouts, and other wilderness enthusiasts. camping;nature;sports;leisure;boy scouts;pictographs;canoeing;hiking;outdoors;outdoor recreation;survival;secret languages;trappers;native americans;native american tribes;hobos;steamer pilots;communication;symbols;signs;directional signs;danger signs;celestial characters;flag signaling;signal codes;animal tracking;wilderness;campers;scouts;folklore;paintings;art;historical;artists, bushcraft; Dave canterbury; field guide; camping; outdoors; boy scouts; scouting; dugout canoe; making a canoe; living outdoors; outback; survival; wilderness; wilderness survival; Dan Beard; Uncle Dan; boy scouts founder; Teddy Roosevelt; Rough Riders; Backpacking; reference of signs; reference work signs; outdoors life; symbols; Indian signs; Indian symbols; hobo language; tramp signs; hobo language; hobo communication; toot language; steam boat communication; trail communication; trail signs; weather signs; animal signs; animal tracking; wood signs; tugboat signals; semaphore; flags; semaphore communication; sos; gesture signalswhistles; whistle communication; hand-flag signals; lantern signals; ciphers; secret languages; heraldry
In exploring spiritual meanings and symbols, even modern constructs like malls can be imbued with deeper significance. This exploration delves into various cultural, religious, and personal interpretations of the mall as a symbol. From dream analysis to ancient texts and contemporary spiritual beliefs, we uncover how a
What does a squirrel symbolize, as a spirit animal, dream interpretation of white/albino, black squirrels, spiritual meaning in Native American, Chinese culture
What does a moose symbolize, as a spirit animal, meaning of antlers, dream interpretation, significance in Native American culture, as a national symbol of Canada
Get in-depth Black Cat Meaning & Symbolsm! Black Cat as a Spirit, Totem, & Power Animal. Plus, Black Cat in Celtic & Native American Symbols and Dreams!
The Picts were an ancient race of people who from at least the 1st century AD dominated the northern territories of what is known today as Scotland.
What does a rabbit symbolize, white, black rabbit, dead rabbit, spirit animal, dream meaning, interpretations, in Christianity, Bible, Easter, Native America
For various important reasons, many students submit their work only at the very last minute of the deadline. That means mistakes are inevitable. After all, working against the clock demands sacrifices.
Exploring the Spiritual Significance of Fat In our modern society, the word 'fat' often carries negative connotations related to physical appearance and health. However, in a spiritual context, fat can symbolize abundance, prosperity and wealth. This blog post delves into the spiritual meaning of fat from
The benefits of sweating for healing and detoxification is a widely known practice in many Native cultures around the world. Not only does sweating clear the body of illness but also removes impurities from the mind and spirit. Toxins are removed from the body with extreme heat and muscles and joints can be rejuvenated. As
Exploring the Spiritual Significance of Going Barefoot The act of going barefoot carries a profound spiritual meaning across various cultures and religions worldwide. It symbolizes humility,
In-depth Beaver Symbolism & Beaver Meanings! Beaver as a Spirit, Totem, & Power Animal. Plus, Beaver in Native American Symbols and Beaver Dreams, too!
Aho Mitakuye Oyasin….All my relations. I honor you in this circle of life with me today. I am grateful for this opportunity to acknowledge you in this prayer. To the Creator, for the ultimate…
Many years ago the black bear came to me in a dream and it was such a clear descriptive encounter that I realized I had to embrace this animal totem. With Bear Medicine, the power of knowing has in…
An article describing symbols and motifs in Navajo weaving, including the gift of the Spider Woman, the Navajo Homeland and the "Spirit Line"