AUTHENTIC NATIVE AMERICAN ART
& ZUNI CARVINGS
âž³ WHAT IS A ZUNI FETISH?
Carefully shaped by Zuni artisans, fetishes are a physical embodiment of a living spirit. Traditionally, native peoples of the Southwest created carvings to represent the totem animals of the Six Cardinal Directions (the pivotal points of nature). By taking thoughtful care of the fetish, in return, the spirit imbues its keeper with guidance.
Today, fetishes are fashioned after a diverse selection of animals and spirits; each with their own meanings, strengths, and weaknesses. These sculptures are made from a variety of materials, mostly stone and mineral, but organic mediums are also used, such as tagua nut and antler.
FETISHES OF THE SIX DIRECTIONS
EAST âž³ Wolf
SOUTH âž³ Badger
WEST âž³ Black Bear
NORTH âž³ Mountain Lion
SKY âž³ Eagle
UNDERWORLD âž³ Mole
SYMBOLISM OF ZUNI FETISHES
Heartline
Gives the spirit breath and life
Offering Bundle
Offering to the universe
Cornmeal
Feeds the spirit
Fetish Pot
A fetish’s home
âž³ FIND YOUR MEDICINE âž³
âž³ ARMADILLO
Learning to SET BOUNDARIES
âž³ BADGER
Willingness to FIGHT FOR WHAT ONE WANTS; aggressiveness
âž³ BAT
Dying to the old ways of life; REBIRTH
âž³ BEAR
Introspection, the STRENGTH
TO GO WITHIN
âž³ BEAVER
Building on our DREAMS, the industrious "doer"
âž³ BOBCAT / LYNX
Keeping secrets; clairvoyant pictures of WHAT IS HIDDEN
âž³ BUFFALO
Medicine: Prayer, Gratitude, and praise for what we have
âž³ BUTTERFLY
The art of TRANSFORMATION: egg, larva, cocoon, and rebirth
âž³ CORN MAIDEN
Gifts that we receive from
Mother Earth
âž³ COYOTE
The great TRICKSTER; the ability to see our own foolishness
âž³ CROW
Keeper of the Sacred law, the HIGHER ORDER of right and wrong
âž³ DEER
Gentleness, fearlessness, using COMPASSION to touch
other hearts and minds
âž³ DOG
Loyalty, SERVICE TO OTHERS
or humanity
âž³ DOLPHIN
Releasing emotions
thru "MANNA", the life-force,
our breath
âž³ DRAGONFLY
Gliding through the midst of illusion
âž³ EAGLE
The power of the GREAT SPIRIT; connection to the DIVINE
âž³ FOX
Ability to OBSERVE UNDETECTED; protector of the family
âž³ FROG
The cleansing power of water;
time to refresh, PURIFY
âž³ HAWK
The messenger; the power to perceive, RECEIVE THE TRUTH
âž³ HORNED TOAD
Self reliance, longevity, LUCK!
âž³ HORSE
Spiritual power; the
WISDOM OF THE JOURNEY
âž³ HUMMINGBIRD
Pure Joy! Tasting the succulent
nature of LIFE
âž³ LIZARD
Seeing The Dream, the future, your hopes, your fears
âž³ MOLE
CONNECTION to and protector of MOTHER EARTH
âž³ MOOSE
Using SELF-ESTEEM to
empower others.
âž³ MOUNTAIN LION
The Power and responsibility
of LEADERSHIP
âž³ OTTER
The personification of femininity, WOMAN MEDICINE
âž³ OWL
CLAIRVOYANCE, the ability to see "in the dark"; wisdom
âž³ PORCUPINE
The power of FAITH and trust!
Childlike humility,
innocence and wonder.
âž³ RABBIT
What you resist will persist!
Release your Fears
âž³ RAM
Finding your SELF-WORTH
âž³ RAVEN
The bringer of MAGIC! A shift in consciousness
âž³ SHEEP
CHARITY. Talents bring
riches to ALL
âž³ SKUNK
Walking your talk; self-respect,
your REPUTATION
âž³ SNAKE
TRANSMUTATION of thought,
action, or desire.
âž³ SQUIRREL
Saving for the winters;
playful intelligence
âž³ TURTLE
The art of grounding; MOTHER EARTH ENERGY; your home is always on your back. Wherever you go, there you are.
âž³ WHALE
Using sound to balance our
emotional bodies; RELEASING
the Akashic records.
âž³ WOLF
The teacher within; INTUITION; sharing in the family.