Carefully shaped by Zuni artisans, fetishes are a physical embodiment of a living spirit. Traditionally, native peoples of the Southwest created carvings to represent the totem animals of the Six Cardinal Directions (the pivotal points of nature). By taking thoughtful care of the fetish, in return, the spirit imbues its keeper with guidance.

Today, fetishes are fashioned after a diverse selection of animals and spirits; each with their own meanings, strengths, and weaknesses. These sculptures are made from a variety of materials, mostly stone and mineral, but organic mediums are also used, such as tagua nut and antler.

FETISHES OF THE SIX DIRECTIONS

EAST ➳ Wolf

SOUTH ➳ Badger

WEST ➳ Black Bear

NORTH ➳ Mountain Lion

SKY ➳ Eagle

UNDERWORLD ➳ Mole

SYMBOLISM OF ZUNI FETISHES

Heartline

Gives the spirit breath and life

Offering Bundle

Offering to the universe

Cornmeal

Feeds the spirit

Fetish Pot

A fetish’s home

➳ ARMADILLO

Learning to SET BOUNDARIES

➳ BADGER

Willingness to FIGHT FOR WHAT ONE WANTS; aggressiveness

➳ BAT

Dying to the old ways of life; REBIRTH

➳ BEAR

Introspection, the STRENGTH

TO GO WITHIN

➳ BEAVER

Building on our DREAMS, the industrious "doer"

➳ BOBCAT / LYNX

Keeping secrets; clairvoyant pictures of WHAT IS HIDDEN

➳ BUFFALO

Medicine: Prayer, Gratitude, and praise for what we have

➳ BUTTERFLY

The art of TRANSFORMATION: egg, larva, cocoon, and rebirth

➳ CORN MAIDEN

Gifts that we receive from

Mother Earth

➳ COYOTE

The great TRICKSTER; the ability to see our own foolishness

➳ CROW

Keeper of the Sacred law, the HIGHER ORDER of right and wrong

➳ DEER

Gentleness, fearlessness, using COMPASSION to touch

other hearts and minds

➳ DOG

Loyalty, SERVICE TO OTHERS

or humanity

➳ DOLPHIN

Releasing emotions

thru "MANNA", the life-force,

our breath

➳ DRAGONFLY

Gliding through the midst of illusion

➳ EAGLE

The power of the GREAT SPIRIT; connection to the DIVINE

➳ FOX

Ability to OBSERVE UNDETECTED; protector of the family

➳ FROG

The cleansing power of water;

time to refresh, PURIFY

➳ HAWK

The messenger; the power to perceive, RECEIVE THE TRUTH

➳ HORNED TOAD

Self reliance, longevity, LUCK!

➳ HORSE

Spiritual power; the

WISDOM OF THE JOURNEY

➳ HUMMINGBIRD

Pure Joy! Tasting the succulent

nature of LIFE

➳ LIZARD

Seeing The Dream, the future, your hopes, your fears

➳ MOLE

CONNECTION to and protector of MOTHER EARTH

➳ MOOSE

Using SELF-ESTEEM to

empower others. 

➳ MOUNTAIN LION

The Power and responsibility

of LEADERSHIP

➳ OTTER

The personification of femininity, WOMAN MEDICINE

➳ OWL

CLAIRVOYANCE, the ability to see "in the dark"; wisdom

➳ PORCUPINE

The power of FAITH and trust!

Childlike humility,

innocence and wonder.

➳ RABBIT

What you resist will persist!

Release your Fears

➳ RAM

Finding your SELF-WORTH

➳ RAVEN

The bringer of MAGIC! A shift in consciousness

➳ SHEEP

CHARITY. Talents bring

riches to ALL

➳ SKUNK

Walking your talk; self-respect,

your REPUTATION

➳ SNAKE

TRANSMUTATION of thought,

action, or desire.

➳ SQUIRREL

Saving for the winters;

playful intelligence

➳ TURTLE

The art of grounding; MOTHER EARTH ENERGY; your home is always on your back. Wherever you go, there you are.

➳ WHALE

Using sound to balance our

emotional bodies; RELEASING

the Akashic records.

➳ WOLF

The teacher within; INTUITION; sharing in the family.