Native American patterns and symbols were a way of communicating meaning through visual art. The patterns represented important cultural ideas, sacred beliefs, and connections to nature. By understanding what these timeless designs symbolize, we gain insight into the worldview of Native American peoples. In this article, we’ll explore the meanings behind common Native American patterns.
Geometric Patterns
Geometric patterns were frequently used in Native American art and carried deep symbolism. The simplest shapes conveyed fundamental concepts.
Circle
The circle commonly represented unity, wholeness, and infinity. It had neither beginning nor end, so it signified complete cycles and timelessness. Circles also symbolized the sun, moon, and other celestial bodies central to Native American spirituality.
Spiral
Spirals were a variation on the circular form. The spiral shape signified energy, growth, and evolution. It reflected the evolving paths of life, expansion of consciousness, and development of spirituality.
Square
The steadfast square represented stability, balance, and the earth. It embodied the four cardinal directions, the four seasons, and earthly establishment. When connected, squares created larger stability and structure.
Triangle
Triangles typically embodied triple powers or trinities in Native American culture. They symbolized elemental powers like earth, sky, and water or birth, life, and death. Upward pointing triangles represented masculine energy, while downward triangles represented feminine energy.
| Circle | Unity, wholeness, infinity, celestial bodies |
| Spiral | Energy, growth, evolution, life paths |
| Square | Stability, balance, earth, four directions |
| Triangle | Powers of three, trinities, masculine/feminine energy |
Native American Pattern Motifs
Beyond simple shapes, Native American art incorporated symbolic motifs. These recurring designs carried cultural meaning across different tribes. Here are some of the most significant Native American pattern motifs.
Arrow
Unsurprisingly, the arrow represented direction, movement, force, and action. Arrows also symbolized protection, aggression, and conflict depending on context. Stylized arrows could denote war or masculinity.
Cross
The cross symbol predated Christianity in Native American iconography. It signified the four directions and their sacred energies. Crosses embodied the intersection of spiritual paths and the center point of the universe in Native American philosophy.
Handprint
Handprints represented human presence and the transfer of vital energy. They signified participation in spiritual rituals and connection to creative life forces. Handprints marked ownership and spiritual boundaries as well.
Lightning
Lightning embodied divine inspiration, illumination, spiritual power, and sudden enlightenment. It represented the flashing energy of creation and destruction from the heavens. Lightning was associated with thunder gods in many tribes.
Serpent
The serpent motif represented transitional energy and the life cycle. Shedding its skin, the serpent embodied death and rebirth. It could also symbolize healing, fertility, and the fluid elements of water and wind.
| Arrow | Direction, movement, force, protection, masculinity |
| Cross | Four directions, spiritual paths, center point |
| Handprint | Human presence, energy transfer, ownership |
| Lightning | Inspiration, illumination, spiritual power |
| Serpent | Transitions, life cycles, healing, fertility |
Animal Symbols
Native American patterns frequently incorporated stylized animal forms. Different creatures carried symbolic meaning in their physical attributes and behaviors.
Bear
The powerful bear represented courage, strength, and healing. It was a protector symbol and embodied renewal through hibernation. Bears were also linked to shamanic journeys and vision quests.
Buffalo
Due to their life-sustaining meat, skins, and bones, buffalo represented the ultimate provider for survival. They symbolized abundance, prosperity, and gratitude among Plains Indian tribes who depended on buffalo.
Deer
Deer embodied sensitivity, innocence, gentleness, and natural beauty. Their antlers represented regeneration and life force. Deer exemplified the masculine princeliness of warriors and chiefs as well.
Eagle
The soaring eagle epitomized divine spirit. It symbolized courage, wisdom, illumination, and the connection between earth and sky. Eagles represented clear vision, leadership, and prestige. Their feathers and claws adorned symbols of power and rank.
Owl
Mysterious owls represented the night, moon, and intuition. They embodied wisdom, truth, prevision, and feminine power. Owls served as guides and protectors with the ability to penetrate darkness and deception.
| Bear | Courage, strength, healing, renewal |
| Buffalo | Abundance, prosperity, survival |
| Deer | Sensitivity, gentleness, regeneration |
| Eagle | Divine spirit, illumination, leadership |
| Owl | Wisdom, intuition, prevision, moon |
Elements and Forces
The fundamental elements of nature were integral symbols in Native American artwork. Creative and destructive forces also carried meaning.
Sun
The supreme solar symbol embodied life energy, light, wisdom, and the creative masculine. The sun guided the passage of time and seasons for agricultural peoples. It represented the highest power in the sky for many tribes.
Moon
Mysterious, feminine, and nocturnal, the moon symbolized intuition, time cycles, womanhood, and procreation. Its phases of transformation reflected immortality and the passage between worlds. Full moons meant wholeness and prime power.
Water
Water represented purity, clarity, fertility, potentiality, and the feminine essence. It signified birth, emotional depth, and the westerly direction. Water carried spiritual cleansing and healing powers across many tribes.
Wind
Invisible but powerful, wind represented breath, spirit, and the cardinal direction of the east. It embodied wisdom from ancestors, communication with the Creator, and passage to the spirit world after death.
Thunder & Lightning
This dynamic duo symbolized the masculine energy and power of storms. Thunder represented authority, might, and the voice of the Creator. Lightning embodied illumination, destruction, and divine inspiration in a flash.
| Sun | Life energy, light, wisdom, creative masculine |
| Moon | Intuition, cycles, womanhood, immortality |
| Water | Purity, fertility, emotion, cleansing |
| Wind | Breath, spirit, ancestors, afterlife |
| Thunder & Lightning | Power, authority, destruction, inspiration |
Colors
Color symbolism was integral to Native American art. While interpretations varied between tribes, some universal meanings emerged.
Black
Black represented primordial darkness, the underground, death, and the west. It embodied mysticism, mourning, evil, and sorcery in some contexts. Black also symbolized rain clouds and soil fertility.
White
White signified purity, spirit, peace, enlightenment, and the east. It represented snow, clouds, and the white hides of buffalo. White embodied healing, tranquility, and ancestral ghosts.
Red
Vibrant red symbolized blood, life force, vitality, strength, success, and passion. Red conveyed sacred, spiritual, and ceremonial meaning. It also represented war, danger, and violence.
Blue
Cool, calming blue represented sky, rainwater, and the heavens. It also embodied steadfastness, tranquility, and spirit protection. Blue could signify sadness, envy, and deceit in some negative contexts.
Yellow
Yellow embodied light, sun, illumination, and agriculture. It signified sacred fire, energy, intelligence, and friendliness. Yellow represented death, decay, and illness in some tribes.
Green
Verdant green represented Mother Earth, crops, plants, endurance, growth, and the north. It symbolized harmony, renewal, generosity, and ecological order. Green could mean witchcraft and evil in rare cases.
| Black | Darkness, death, underground, evil |
| White | Purity, enlightenment, peace, ancestral spirits |
| Red | Blood, life force, vitality, passion |
| Blue | Sky, rain, heavens, tranquility |
| Yellow | Sun, light, energy, intelligence |
| Green | Earth, growth, ecology, endurance |
Plants & Nature
Important plants and natural features held symbolism for Native Americans. Their environment provided spiritually significant symbols.
Trees
Majestic trees symbolized interconnectedness, organic growth, shelter, and wisdom. Specific trees like oak, pine, spruce, and cedar represented different elements like fire, air, water, and earth across tribes.
Mountains
Sacred mountains embodied the ascent to spiritual heights. They represented formidable strength and closeness to the Great Spirit. Mountains were sacred retreats for attaining visionary experiences.
Clouds
Clouds represented the ethereal realm between heaven and earth. They symbolized shifting forms, transitional states, and the immortal spirit. Some tribes saw clouds as the source of life-giving rain.
Cactus
Resilient cacti represented endurance, protection, resilience, warmth, and maternal care in extremely harsh conditions. Their capacity to thrive in the desert embodied the survival of Native American people.
Corn
This staple crop embodied the sustenance of life, fertile soil, Mother Earth’s abundance, and the continuity of tribal traditions. Corn represented cycles of death, rebirth, and the interconnection of all living things.
| Trees | Interconnectedness, wisdom, elements |
| Mountains | Spiritual heights, strength, visions |
| Clouds | Transitions, spirit realm, rain |
| Cactus | Endurance, protection, resilience |
| Corn | Sustenance, fertility, continuity |
Conclusion
Native American symbols conveyed a complex web of cultural meaning through visual art. Simple geometric designs, natural motifs, animals, elements, colors, and plants carried layers of symbolism for Native peoples. Their iconography reflected an intimate spiritual relationship with the natural world. By decoding the living symbology in Native American patterns, we can appreciate their timeless messages about humanity’s connection to the earth. Although diverse, the tribes shared an iconographic language that spoke to our shared belonging in this world.