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Symbols and Animals in Native Culture
Raven
Raven is known as Transformer, Trickster, Hero, Creator and is one of the two
main crests of the Haida. Legends credit Raven with, among other things, releasing
the Sun and Moon, bringing water and fish and, according to the Haida, discovering
mankind in a clamshell.
Eagle
Eagle is seen as a symbol of both power and prestige as well as a harbinger
of peace and friendship. Eagle feathers are still considered sacred and were
part of many ceremonies and rituals. Eagle is the other of the two main crests
of the Haida.
Sun
Released from a box by Raven, Sun Chief inhabited the sky and it is believed
he could be reached by climbing a chain of arrows, and sliding down its long
rays. The Sun is often carved on totems and masks and sits atop the tallest
totem pole.
Frog
Frog is a symbol of prosperity, considered friendly as it is said he warns humans
of imminent danger. Haida peoples carved Frog on house poles to prevent them
from falling over. Tlingit legend tells of a chief’s daughter who laughed
at Frog and was lured into the lake by a frog in human form. Frog People refused
to let her go, so her family drained the lake, thus scattering frogs everywhere.
Dogfish
(Shark) A crest often applied to utilitarian objects, the Dogfish is often portrayed
with a labret on its lip, a reminder of a legend of a woman carried off by Dogfish
a long time ago.
Otter
It is said that, in early times, when the great Transformer was travelling the
land, he came across a man sharpening a spear with which to kill him. He turned
the man into an otter and the spear became its tail.
Hummingbird
The beautiful, tiny bird once abundant on the West Coast is known by the whimsical
name Sha Sen.
Bear
Powerful and human-like, Bear is referred to as Elder Kinsman and is treated
as a high-ranking guest when killed. A legend shared by many tribes tells of
a chief’s daughter abducted by a bear; she subsequently married the bear
and gave birth to twin cubs. This legend is often depicted in both prints and
carvings.
Whale
Whale is the sea manifestation of Wolf; it is held in great awe for its size
and power. It was believed a whale could capture a canoe, take it underwater
and transform the occupants into whales. Thus, a whale near the shore is a human,
transformed, trying to communicate with his family.
Thunderbird
Thunderbird is the most powerful supernatural creature. He lived in the mountains
and fed on whales. When he flapped his wings, thunder rolled; he kept lightning
snakes under his wings to aid him in killing whales. For this reason, whalers
painted lightning snakes on their canoes.
Halibut
An abundant food for the Kwagiutl, Halibut was believed to throw off its skin
and tail to become the first Human after the Great Flood subsided. The Tlingit
say the Queen Charlotte Islands were given their present shape by a halibut
that grew to enormous size and broke up the island by the crashing of its tail,
thus, were people scattered about.
Moon
The Moon was the exclusive crest of only a few of the highest-ranking chiefs
among the Haida; rights to this crest are still inherited. Raven is said to
have released Moon and the stars are pieces of Moon, flung into the sky. An
eclipse was said to be a codfish trying to swallow the moon and a bonfire, set
with green boughs, choked the cod and stopped it.
Wolf
An important family crest, Wolf was revered for his skill as a hunter. To become
a good hunter, one must acquire the spirit power associated with Wolf. Haida
legends have a supernatural Sea Wolf, Wasgo, a creature part Wolf and part Whale.
Beaver
An important crest of the Haida and a creature very often depicted on totem
poles, Beaver is said to have once been a woman. Tsimshian legend tells of a
woman who dammed a stream so she could swim in it and then she refused to get
out. She was transformed and her leather apron became Beaver’s tail.
Sisiutl
(Kwagiutl) A mythical two-headed sea serpent that guarded the entrance to the
homes of the supernaturals, Sisiutl was believed to kill and eat anyone who
saw it; washing in its blood turned a person to stone. Transformed into a self-propelled
canoe that must be fed seals, this is a creature unique to Kwagiutl mythology.
Salmon
The staple food of may coastal Natives was brought to the rivers and seas by
Raven. Many celebrated the first catch of the season with ceremonies of thanksgiving,
to ensure a good harvest.
Mosquito
Tsimshian legend tells of a mother whose child was killed by a blood-sucking
mosquito. She hid in a tree by a lake and when the chief of mosquitoes came
along, she laughed at him. Enraged, he dove at her reflection and when he got
out of the water, he froze to death. They burned his body, and the ashes became
hundreds of tiny mosquitoes.
Loon
The melancholic-sounding bird was said to have delighted in frightening humans
on shore or in canoes, as fog rolled in.
