Native American Symbols, Pictographs & Petroglyphs

For the earth, he drew a straight line,
For the sky a bow above it;
White the space between for day-time,
Filled with little stars for night-time;
On the left a point for sunrise,
On the right a point for sunset,
On the top a point for noontide,
And for rain and cloudy weather
Waving lines descending from it.

– From The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The arrival of European explorers in the Americas marked a significant shift in the cultural landscape. Prior to this encounter, many Native American communities relied on oral traditions and visual representations to preserve their history, communicate ideas, and express their spiritual beliefs. In the absence of a standardized written language, stories were passed down through generations by word of mouth, and complex concepts were conveyed through a rich tapestry of pictures and symbols. This form of communication, however, wasn’t unique to the indigenous peoples of the Americas. Across the globe, long before the advent of formal writing systems, humans etched, painted, and drew upon various surfaces to record events, articulate thoughts, delineate plans, chart maps, and express a wide spectrum of emotions.

The legacy of these early forms of visual communication is preserved in two primary forms: pictographs and petroglyphs. These enduring images offer a window into the minds and lives of those who came before, providing invaluable insights into their cultures, beliefs, and interactions with the world around them. Understanding the nuances of Native American Symbols, Pictographs & Petroglyphs is crucial to appreciating the depth and complexity of Native American heritage.

Pictographs, derived from the words "picture" and "graph," are essentially paintings on rock surfaces. These images are created using natural pigments sourced from the earth, transforming the stone canvas into a vibrant display of storytelling and artistic expression. The palette of colors available to these early artists was remarkably diverse, achieved through the careful selection and combination of materials. Iron oxides, found in hematite and limonite, provided rich hues of red and yellow. White and yellow clays contributed lighter tones, while soft rocks and charcoal offered shades of gray and black. Copper minerals added a touch of blue and green to the spectrum. These raw materials were meticulously processed and mixed to create a range of colors that brought the pictographs to life. Due to their vulnerability to the elements, historic pictographs are most often found in sheltered locations, such as under protective ledges or within caves, where they are shielded from the ravages of weather and time. The study of Native American Symbols, Pictographs & Petroglyphs reveals much about the materials and techniques used by these early artists.

Petroglyphs, on the other hand, represent a different approach to rock art. Rather than applying pigments to the surface, petroglyphs are created by carving, pecking, or abrading the stone. This process involves removing the outer layer of the rock, either to create a visible indentation or to expose the unweathered material beneath, which often differs in color. The resulting contrast between the carved image and the surrounding rock creates a lasting visual record. Like pictographs, petroglyphs served as a means of communication, expression, and storytelling for Native American communities. The distribution of Native American Symbols, Pictographs & Petroglyphs across the landscape provides clues to ancient trade routes, migration patterns, and cultural interactions.

However, deciphering the meaning of Native American Symbols, Pictographs & Petroglyphs is no simple task. These symbols were far more than just simple representations of objects or events. They were imbued with layers of meaning, often possessing multiple interpretations and connotations that varied from tribe to tribe. What might have been a universally understood symbol in one region could hold a completely different significance in another. This linguistic and cultural diversity makes it challenging to definitively interpret the meaning of many of these ancient images. Some symbols are relatively straightforward, their meaning readily apparent even to modern observers. Others, however, remain enigmatic, their secrets locked within the context of a long-lost culture.

Despite the difficulties in interpretation, it is clear that these symbols played a vital role in Native American societies. They were used not only to convey words and ideas but also to decorate homes, adorn buffalo hides, and record significant events in the tribe’s history. These images served as a visual repository of cultural knowledge, preserving traditions, beliefs, and stories for future generations.

The arrival of the Spanish in the Southwest in 1540 brought profound changes to the lives of the Pueblo people. The imposition of Spanish rule and the introduction of Christianity led to the suppression of many traditional Puebloan practices. In 1680, the Pueblo tribes united in a revolt that drove the Spanish settlers out of the region. However, the Spanish returned in 1692, re-establishing their presence and influence. This re-establishment brought with it a renewed emphasis on Catholicism, which further discouraged the Puebloans from engaging in their traditional ceremonial practices. As a result, many of these practices went underground, and the creation of pictographs and petroglyphs decreased significantly.

Understanding the context in which these images were created is crucial to appreciating their significance. These were not casual or random acts of artistic expression. Each image was carefully placed with a specific purpose in mind. Some petroglyphs held meanings known only to the individuals who created them, while others served as markers for tribes, clans, kivas, or other social groups. Some represented religious entities, while others indicated who had been in the area and where they had gone. Some Native American Symbols, Pictographs & Petroglyphs have meanings that remain relevant today, while others are respected as the legacy of "those who came before," even if their original meaning has been lost to time.

The United States is home to a vast number of pictograph and petroglyph sites, with the highest concentration found in the American Southwest. One of the most significant of these sites is the Petroglyph National Monument in New Mexico. This monument protects an estimated 25,000 petroglyph images spread along 17 miles of escarpment. While a small percentage of these images predate the Puebloan period, dating back as far as 2000 B.C., the majority were created between 1300 and the late 1680s by the ancestors of today’s Pueblo people.

The following table provides a glimpse into the diverse range of Native American symbols and their associated meanings:

Symbol	Image	Meaning
Arrow		Protection
Arrowhead		Alertness
Badger Track		Summer
Bear		Strength
Bear Paw		Good Omen
Big Mountain		Great abundance
Bird		Free of worry, Carefree
Broken Arrow		Peace
Broken Cross Circle		Four Seasons, That Which Revolves
Brothers		Unity, Equality, Loyalty
Buffalo Horns		Success
Buffalo Skull		Sacredness, Reverence for Life
Butterfly		Everlasting life
Cactus		Sign of desert
Coyote & Coyote Tracks		Trickster
Crossed Arrows		Friendship
Days-Nights		Time Passing
Deer Track		Game plentiful
Drawn Bow & Arrow		Hunting
Drying Rack		Plenty of Meat
Eagle		Freedom
Eagle Feather		Chief
Enclosure		Ceremonial Dances
End of Trail		Peace, End of War
Evil Eye		This symbol protects from the curse of the Evil Eye.
Facing Arrows		Warding off evil spirits
Four Ages		Infancy, Youth, Middle, Old Age
Gecko		Sign of Desert
Gila Monster		Dream Time
Great Spirit		The Great Spirit is a conception of universal spiritual force, or supreme being prevalent among most Native American tribes.
Head Dress		Ceremonial
Hogan		Permanent Home
Horse		Journey
Kokopelli		Flute Player, Fertility
Lightning		Power, Speed
Lightning Arrow		Swiftness
Man		Life
Medicine Man’s Eye		Wisdom
Morning Stars		Guidance
Mountain Range		Destination
Path		Crossed
Peace Pipe		Ceremonial, sacred
Rain		Plentiful crop
Rain Clouds		Good Prospect
Rattle Snake Jaws		Strength
Saddle Bag		Journey
Skyband		Leading to Happiness
Snake		Defiance
Squash Blossom		Fertility
Sun		Happiness
Sun Flower		Fertility
Sun God Mask		The Sun God is a powerful spirit among a number of Native American tribes.
Sunrays		Constant
Swastika		Four corners of the world, Well-Being
Tipi		Temporary house
Thunderbird		Unlimited Happiness, Caller of Rain
Thunderbird Track		Bright Prospect
Water Running		Constant Life
Wolf Paw		Freedom, Success
Zuni Bear		Good Health

These images are a valuable record of cultural expression and hold profound spiritual significance for contemporary Native Americans and the descendants of the early Spanish settlers. They offer a tangible connection to the past, reminding us of the rich and complex history of the Americas and the enduring legacy of its indigenous peoples. The study of Native American Symbols, Pictographs & Petroglyphs is an ongoing process, requiring sensitivity, respect, and a willingness to learn from the knowledge and perspectives of Native American communities.