Native American Indian Symbols & Symbolism

And Their Meanings

American Indians have always used symbols to communicate their thoughts, expressions and beliefs.  From prehistoric rock drawings, called petroglyphs and pictographs, to the use of symbols incorporated into jewelry and craft designs.  Because there were very few Native Americans written languages (one of the few, the Cherokee written language was invented by Sequoya), images used as symbols were extremely important.

Many of the images below can be found used in Navajo and Zuni jewelry.

The information above was supplied by impact photo-graphics.

There are many other symbols that are used:

KOKOPELLI....According to the many stories about him, this humped-back flute player has a bag of songs on his back and is said to travel from village to village.  His songs bring fertility to the crops, to women who desire to have children; he entertains the children and his songs also bring healing and love.

BEAR....power, protection and strength

EAGLE....strength, courage, wisdom and keen sight

WOLF....a guide, intelligence, steadfastness, protection

BUFFALO....abundance, generosity, strength, survival

HUMMINGBIRD....joy, healing, soul carrier or sunkisser

ARROW....protection

ARROWHEAD....alertness

GILA MONSTER....sign of the desert

HORSE....swiftness / journey

SNAKE....defiance / wisdom

DEER TRACK....plenty game

MAN....human life

LIGHTENING ....spirit

LIGHTENING ARROW....swiftness

WATER WAVES....constant life

For more on Native American Indian symbols, click here