West Coast Native Indian designs are more than stylized depictions of animals. Each character has its own traits, history and symbolism. Some people who wear these images believe – or at least hope – the traits will be imparted to them.
BEAR
Bear symbolizes superior strength, knowledge and honour as well as motherhood and teaching. Bear is always treated as a respected and high ranking guest.
BEAVER
Beaver is depicted in legends as being wise, patient and determined. He is a skilled craftsman and very creative, careful and clean.
BUTTERFLY
The Butterfly symbolizes transformation, metamorphosis, beauty, balance, and grace. Butterfly often helps the Raven by leading the Raven to food sources and to creatures hiding from the Raven.
COPPER
Symbolizes great wealth and prestige. It was used as currency and at potlatches during marriages and naming ceremonies
DRAGONFLY
Dragonfly is a mobile, active, colourful creature which people use to represent dynamism, motion and change. It is also know to symbolize magic and ever-changing life.
EAGLE
Eagle is a symbol of great strength, power and prestige. Eagle down represents friendship and peace to all.
EAGLE FEATHER
A gift of an eagle feather is said to bring good luck to the giver and the receiver.
FEATHER
Feathers and down are used in various ritual contexts and are symbolic of supernatural powers. Feathers may also symbolize communication, healing and hospitality.
FROG
As a creature that lives in two worlds, water and land, Frog is revered for his adaptability, knowledge and power to transverse worlds and inhabit both natural and supernatural realms. As a great communicator, Frog often represents common ground or the voice of the people.
HAND
With palm open and facing upward, the hand indicates friendship, hospitality, peace and good will. In some contexts, the same hand may also represent powers of creation.
HERON
Heron symbolizes strength and patience. He is a graceful, easy-going spirit, willing to take small progressive steps to attain long term goals.
HUMMINGBIRD
Hummingbird is the joyful messenger of healing. When the hummingbird appears during a time of pain and sorrow, healing will soon follow.
KILLER WHALE
Killer Whale is closely related to Wolf and symbolizes longevity, nobility and strength. As it travels in pods and mates for life it is also associated with togetherness, collective strength and romance. Killer Whale is the traveller and guardian of the seas and is a symbol of good luck.
LOON
Loon is famous for its unique and often haunting voice and is respected for its knowledge of various realms. The ability to traverse various realms such as the forest, sea and sky – which loon demonstrates – is also a characteristic of supernatural power.
MOON
Moon is the protector and guardian of the earth by night. This distant spirit watches over us and has the ability to change our moods.
OWL
Owl is the symbol of wisdom gained through innocence. The owl is the night traveller and our link to the spirit world.
RAVEN
Raven is one of the most important of all creatures to the native people. He is the trickster, the Creator and the transformer and symbolizes both prestige and knowledge.
SALMON
Salmon is a symbol of fertility, bounty and good health. It is also symbolic of dependability and renewal – a provider. Salmon is often depicted in pairs as a sign of good luck.
SUN
The sun provides the earth with healing energy, life and beauty. Sun is the guardian of the earth by day and was thrown into the sky by Raven.
THUNDERBIRD
Legendary Thunderbird is the most powerful of all spirits and symbolizes good luck and great powers. His flapping wings cause thunder and his eyes flash lightning. When hungry he captures and consumes Killer Whale.
WOLF
The Wolf was the land manifestation of the Killer Whale. Wolf is considered to be a symbol of family unity and togetherness, because of the nature of the Wolf’s social structure – traveling and hunting in packs and mating for life.