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, healing and self-knowledge.  He is the great protector...the "sacred bear".  He is a spiritual guide and also carries within him supernatural powers. Bear is a powerful healing fetish. All bear fetishes are powerful but the 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.

Buffalo Help Heal the Spirit

The Buffalo Are Coming

"Buffalo Nation, The People are depending upon you,
so we pray you will be healthy."

           "Ha ti wa-ka i ta-ra-ha ha re ra
             Ku-ra ra wa-ku-e-ru ta-ra-ha
             Re ra ta-ra-ha re ra ta-ra-ha
             Re ra ta-ra-ha a re ra ra u-ra
             We ri-ku sa ta-ra'-ha ha re ra
             Ta-ra-ha re ra ta-ra-ha re ra
             Ta-ra-ha a re ra"

"Listen, he said, yonder the buffalo are coming,
These are his sayings, yonder the buffalo are coming
They walk, they stand, they are coming,
Yonder the buffalo are coming."

Lakota Song-

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.