Oldest House Indian Shop
Barrio De Analco Historic District
215 E. De Vargas St.
Santa Fe. NM 87501
505-988-2488
inquiry@oldesthouseindianshop.com
Open 9:00 am - 6:00 pm every day
Closed Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas
…where the past lives on…
Timeless Treasures
Copyright 2017 Oldest House Indian Shop
Fetishes and Their Meanings
Fetishes
are
anything
of
a
natural
material
that
resembles
the
shape
of
an
animal
(be
it
created
by
nature
or
man).
Native
Americans
believe
the
spirit
of
the
animal
and
its
spiritual
powers
dwell
within
the
fetish.
These
powers
may
be
invoked
to
aid
and
guide
the possessor of the fetish.
In
nature
some
animals
are
stronger
than
others,
hence
their
power
is
greater.
This
is
believed
to
be
true
for
fetishes
as
well.
There
are
six
animals
that
are
designated
as
guardians of the six directions:
North: Mountain Lion
West: Bear
South: Badger
East: Wolf
Zenith (upper region): Eagle
Nadir (lower region): Mole
The
meanings
applied
to
the
various
animals
vary
from
tribe
to
tribe.
However,
common
to
nearly
all
tribes
is
the
belief
in
the
very
great
powers
of
the
mountain
lion,
bear,
wolf
and
eagle.
The
eagle
is
the
messenger
between
Earth
dwellers
and
the
spirits
above.
His
is
the
greatest
blessing.
The
bear
is
the
strongest
healer
and
the
wolf
is
especially
known
for
his
cunning.
Among
many
tribes
the
mountain
lion
is
the
most
powerful
overall
and used more than any other for success in hunting.
The
fetish
may
be
depicted
with
a
spirit
line
(a
lightning
like
line)
that
flows
to
the
center
of
the
body
with
an
arrowhead
at
the
end.
This
arrowhead
points
to
the
spiritual
heart
of
the
animal.
This
honors
the
animal’s
spirit.
A
prayer
bundle,
also
called
a
medicine
bundle,
is
sometimes
attached
to
the
back.
Made
up
of
sacred
materials,
such
as
turquoise,
other
stones,
salt,
shell,
etc.,
it
is
an
offering
to
the
animal’s
spirit.
This
is
both
to encourage it to use its powers on one’s behalf and to express gratitude for such.
In
tribal
life,
so
important
are
the
fetishes
that
a
special
bowl
is
often
made
from
native
clay
to
hold
the
sacred
cornmeal
that
feeds
the
animals’
spirits.
The
fetishes
themselves
are
often
kept
in
the
bowl
when
not
in
use.
The
bowls
are
adorned
with
carved
fetishes
and
covered
with
crushed
turquoise.
They
are
kept
in
the
possession
of
the
medicine
men
of
the
tribe,
as
they
are
used
to
heal
any
ailment
(mental
or
physical)
that
the
members
of
the
tribe
may
have.
The
powers
of
the
fetishes
are
also
called
upon
to
meet
the needs of the tribe as a whole, such as prosperity, security, or whatever may arise.
One’s
personal
fetish
serves
the
same
basic
purposes.
It
is
often
worn
on
a
small
leather
pouch
around
the
neck
or
the
waist
or
in
a
pocket
where
it
will
not
be
exposed
to
the
view
of
anyone
else.
When
choosing
a
personal
fetish
go
with
the
one
you
simply
are
most
attracted
to
because
that
is
the
one
you
have
a
rapport
with.
That
individual
fetish
is
speaking
to
you.
It
is
believed
that
if
you
are
true
to
it,
it
will
be
true
to
you.
The
same guidance applies to choosing a fetish for a gift.
The Zuni Indians of New Mexico are the premier fetish carvers of the southwest. They
are often called upon by other tribal peoples to make their ceremonial fetishes for them.
FETISHES & THEIR MEANINGS
ARMADILLO
- SLOW, SURE, IN NO HURRY. GETS THINGS RIGHT. KEEPER OF THE HOME.
BADGER
- BOLDNESS, PERSEVERANCE, INDIVIDUALITY. “
SOUTH
”
BAT
- GUARDIAN OF THE NIGHT, CLEANER.
BEAR
- STRENGTH, INTROSPECTION, POWER OF THE SOUL. LIGHTENS EMOTIONAL BURDENS. “
WEST
”
BEAVER
- BUILDER. STRONG SENSE OF FAMILY & HOME. KEEPER OF THE WATERWAYS.
BUFFALO
- ENDURANCE TO OVERCOME. GREAT EMOTIONAL COURAGE. PROVIDER OF ALL.
COYOTE
- TRICKSTER. ASSOCIATED WITH LAUGHTER, HUMOR. WORKS WELL IN A GROUP.
DEER
- GREAT POWER OF GENTLENESS.
DOLPHIN
- TRUST, LOYALTY, SPIRIT OF FRIENDSHIP.
EAGLE
- CREATOR, TEACHER, LOYALTY, GREAT INTEGRITY. SPIRIT OF CONNECTION TO THE DIVINE. “
SKY
”
ELK
- STRENGTH, AGILITY, FREEDOM.
FISH
- PURIFIER, CHARACTER. ABILITY TO HIDE EMOTIONS.
FOX
- CAMOFLAGE, PROTECTION, INGENUITY, QUICKNESS, GREAT PASSION.
FROG
- RAINMAKER. SILENTLY WARNS OF DANGER. ASSOCIATED WITH ABUNDANCE.
HAWK
- MESSENGER OF THE SKY, OBSERVER.
HORNED TOAD
- SELF-RELIANCE, LONGEVITY. PROTECTS ANCESTRAL BOUNTY.
HORSE
- SWIFTNESS, STRENGTH, ENLIGHTENMENT. POSSESSES HEALING POWERS.
HUMMINGBIRD
- MESSENGER, STOPPER OF TIME.
KOKOPELLI
- FERTILITY, MUSIC, JOY.
LIZARD
- CONSERVATION, AGILITY.
MOLE
- AMPLIFIES CONNECTION WITH THE EARTH. PROTECTS THE FIELDS. “
UNDERGROUND
”
MOOSE
- HEADSTRONG, UNSTOPPABLE, LONGEVITY.
MOUNTAIN LION
- LEADERSHIP, RESOURCEFULNESS. GREAT COURAGE. HIGH STANDARDS. “
NORTH
”
MOUSE
- TIMID, SECRETIVE, SNEAKY.
OWL
- WISDOM, PATIENCE, MENTAL ENDURANCE. CONTROLS DARK SIDE OF NATURE. KEEPER OF THE NIGHT.
OTTER
- LAUGHTER, CURIOSITY, MISCHIEVOUS.
PHEASANT
- CONFIDENCE, ATTRACTION, FLAMBOYANCE.
QUAIL
- SACRED SPIRAL, CEREMONIAL, HOLY.
RABBIT
- VIRTUE, SERENITY, LOW CURIOSITY. QUIET TALENT. RESTRAINED PASSION.
RACCOON
- BANDIT, SHY, RESOURCEFUL.
RAM
- SENSE OF SELF-WORTH. ASSURES AN INCREASE IN FLOCKS.
RAVEN
- TRICKSTER, TEACHER, HOARDER.
SEAL
- FAMILY ORIENTED. POSSESSES POWER IN NUMBERS.
SHEEP
- CHARITY, ELEGANCE, PASSION. BEST AT THE ARTS. TALENTS BRING RICHES.
SKUNK
- WARY, CONSPICUOUS, INTENSE.
SNAKE
- TRANSMUTATION. LIFE, DEATH, REBIRTH.
SPIDER
- CREATIVE PATTERN OF LIFE.
SQUIRREL
- NATURAL INTELLIGENCE. SAVER. PROTECTS RESERVES.
TURKEY
- SMART, ELUSIVE, FESTIVE.
TURTLE
- LONGEVITY, FERTILITY. SYMBOL OF MOTHER EARTH, HOME AND RELIABILITY.
WOLF
- TEACHER, FAMILY ORIENTED, WARM. DEEPLY SPIRITUAL. PATHFINDER ON JOURNEY OF SURVIVAL. “
EAST
”