2. Native American Symbols Beyond Aesthetics

3. Native American Symbols zNative American symbols are more than art.symbols zAnimals are also used.Animals zThey encompass a cosmos and a context.

4. Symbols - An Overview zPoint to something beyond themselves. zMore descriptive than words. zDevelop over time. zOften only has meaning in a context. zSome symbols are used in a number of different contexts and cultures. For example example

5. More On Symbols zThe symbols have a history which includes the object itself, persons involved and the circumstances surrounding its development.

6. Native American Symbols zSymbolism in Native American is significant but only as it relates to a particular context which includes a number of factors. zSignificance cannot be determined by isolating and decoding particular symbols. zThey are inseparable from the performance of which they are a part.

7. Examples of Symbolism in Use zSandpainting ritual is used as a cure ceremony. zThey are constructed on the floor of a ceremonial hogan and depict mythic persons who have a connection with the cause of the illness being treated.

8. Context driven Sandpainting zOne has to see how the sandpainting fits into a greater picture that is itself symbolic, created from the experience of hearing the stories, praying the payers, living the way of life, all of which constitute Navajo tradition.

9. Self-Directed Designs and Objects zSome Native American artifacts are self- directed in others words to be understood they have to be looked at from the point of view of the wearer. zAn example are the effigy pipes of the Algonquin which are used to aid in concentration and thought. A person by smoking the pipe and concentrating on the effigy that one gains power from the guardian spirit.

10. Esoteric Objects zMany esoteric objects such as the medicine bundles are very symbolic. Their power lies in what they invoke through history of the user and use, stories of their origin, the occasions and manners of their use.

11. Masks Masking or masquerade?

12. Seneca False Faces zMany masks are related to formal and public religious acts. zMasks are living things. zFor example the society of men of the Seneca who perform the new year’s corn and green ceremonies to drive out evil. zThese masks are called gagosa.

13. Use of the gagosa zThese are carved out of living trees and removed (if possible) without killing the tree. zThey are distinctly decorated with distortions and exaggeration. zCarved out by special people. zThe masks have a purpose. For exampleexample zAnd another exampleAnd another example

14. Care zThe masks have distinctive features. zThey are molded according to a dream revelation. zThe masks are treated as living beings. zWhen not in use they are hung facing the wall or are wrapped and carefully placed in a box or drawer.

15. Treatment zThey are fed periodically by putting something on their lips. zTheir faces are sometimes treated to keep clean. zEach mask is named and has its own personality.

16. Consider This zThey are very powerful for they manifest the power of the Bad twin who, when overcome by the Good Twin at the close of creation, was destined to aid in keeping the health and wellbeing of human beings. zThe masks are not a covering or disguise but are a living manifestation of the type of spiritual being.

17. The Hopi Looking Through the Mask

18. Meaning of the Mask zIn the case of Hopi the masks represents a way of looking at the world--a perspective. zFor example masks are used to frightened children into behaving properly--this is where the family has to provide a considerable sum for the life of the child. zThe mask provided wearer with a perspective of reality shown on the face of the child.

19. Kwakiutl Masks and the Notion of Place zThe Kwakiutl use the mask to designate hierarchical relationships. zFor Kwakiutl reality is in grid relationships. zIn it there are a fixed number of positions, to each of which belongs a name, referred to as seat or standing place. An exampleexample zAnother exampleAnother example

20. Conclusion zMasks are symbolic because of what they make present: they spiritual reality. Masks cannot be translated or decoded because their meaning is inseparable from what they make present--which, apart from the masks, could not be observed or expressed. zAn explanation of masks at this site.site

21. Native American Symbols zLife’s choices exampleexample zTribesTribes