Alligator
Aggression, survival, adaptability
Ant
Group minded, perseverance, step by step. The ant represents self discipline and a group effort. Teamwork.
Bat
Guardian of the night, cleaner
Bear
Power, mother cunning, healer, gentle strength, dreaming. In the Zuni tradition, the bear symbolizes the direction West.
Bear Paw
Power, direction, connection to creator
Beaver
Builder, gatherer
Buffalo
Sacredness, life builder. The buffalo provides all good things for living, and bestows great curing powers.
Butterfly
Metamorphosis, carefree, transformer
Cougar
Leadership, courage, power, swiftness and balance.
Coyote
Prankster, insight, playful. The coyote symbolizes duality and the ability to present both sides of an issue. Clowning and humor, perhaps sarcastic.
Crane
Solitude, independence
Deer
Love, gentleness, kindness, gracefulness and sensitivity. Deer carries the message of purity of purpose, and of walking in the light.
Dolphin
Kindness, play, bridge man to ocean. Dolphin brings us teachings from the water. Breath control and the awareness of tone is also Dolphin power.
Dragonfly
Flighty, carefree. Dragonflies symbolize whirlwind, swiftness and activity. The dragonfly is an important insect in Zuni legend, where they are shamanistic creatures with supernatural powers. In Hopi rock art, the dragonfly is symbolized by a vertical line with two or sometimes one, horizontal cross line.
Eagle
Divine spirit, chief of all the creatures in the air, the primary servant of the sun. Powerful in battle, the eagle protects the people from evil. Eagle medicine attributes include clear vision and soaring spirit. The eagle is associated with success, prosperity and wealth. In the Zuni Tradition, the Eagle symbolizes the direction Up.
Elk
Strength, agility, freedom, power and nobility.
Fox
Cunning, provider, intelligence. Fox represents twilight and feminine magic.
Frog
Connection with water element
Grizzly Bear
Mother, nature's pharmacist
Hawk
Messenger of the sky, observer
Horse
Stamina, mobility, strength and power. The horse was introduced to the plains tribes by the Spanish. Shamans are often pictured flying on mythical horses. Horses can symbolize coping under difficult circumstances. Horse is love and devotion, loyalty.
Hummingbird
Messenger, stopper of time. Hummingbird represents optimism and sweetness. Being able to roll with the punches is an attribute of Hummingbird.
Lizard
Conservation, agility. Lizard promotes dreaming.
Moose
Headstrong, unstoppable longevity. Moose represents value and integrity.
Otter
Laughter, curiosity, mischievous. Otter is a feminine power, and the symbol of grace and empathy.
Owl
Wisdom, truth, patience. The Mescalero believe that Owl carries the souls of the recently deceased, a death messenger. Owl is the totem of clairvoyants and mystics.
Rabbit
Alertness, nurturing
Raven
Trickster, teacher, hoarder. To Pacific Northwest Coast tribes, Raven represented the shaman's powers and a belief in transformation between human and animal spirits. Raven symbolizes change in conciousness and is the mark of a shape shifter.
Salmon
Instinct, persistence, determination
Seahorse
Confidence, grace
Shark
Hunter, survival, adaptability
Snake
Shrewdness, transformation. Life, death and rebirth are represented by the shedding of skin. Among the Pueblo Indians snakes and lightning are equated with rain and fertility.
Spider
Creative, pattern of life. Spider connects the past with the future, creating possibilities. Spider-woman is a major Pueblo goddess.
Swan
Grace, balance, innocence
Turtle
Self contained, creative source. Turtle represents Mother Earth. Informed decisions, planning and adaptability are attributes of Turtle.
Wolf
Loyalty, success, perseverance, stability and thought. Wolves are also regarded as pathfinders and teachers. Wolf is represented by the constellation Sirius, the Dog. In the Zuni tradition the Wolf symbolizes the direction East.
Wolf Print
Tracking, movement
