- Mountain Lions - Protective and hunting animal of the North. They are believed to protect travelers on their journeys. They are used when hunters are after big game, especially deer, elk, buffalo and mountain sheep.
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- Bears - Protective animal of the West. Bears are one of the most important fetishes throughout the Southwest. They all have medicinal powers, but white bears are believed to have the most healing ability. Generally bears will be carved with little or no tails.
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- Badgers - Protective animal of the South. The badger helps the medicine men and shamans dig up the roots and herbs that are needed in healing.
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- Wolves - Protective and hunting animal of the East. Wolves have strong hunting powers and are sometimes carried while hunting large game.
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- Eagles - Protective and hunting animal of the sky. Eagles are sometimes carried when hunting small game. They are also called upon to carry a shaman in flight when his spirit leaves his body to search for the cause of a patient's illness.
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- Moles - Protective and hunting animal of the underground. The mole (or shrew) helps protect the crops by hunting rodents and other small game.
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- Coyotes - Hunting animal of the West. Coyotes are sometimes used while hunting rabbits. One story states that mountain sheep were originally the coyotes prey. When one was set free especially for him, and he failed to catch it, he was forced to give up his claim to the mt lion. In turn, he was relegated to scavenging.
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- Bobcats - Hunting animal of the South. The bobcat has always been one of the rarest carved fetishes. He is used when antelope is the prey.
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- Frogs - Frogs are the major rain-bringing fetish, and are also associated with abundance and fertility.
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- Turtles - Turtles serve as a link to the Zuni ancestors. They also have a rain association and signify mother earth.
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- Owls and others birds - Most birds are believed to carry prayers to the clouds and sky, asking for rain and blessings. Owls are sometimes believed to guard over the village and home, hooting to warn of potential danger.
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- Game Animals (Buffalo, Mountain Sheep, Deer, Antelope, Elk and Rabbits) - Game animals help increase the numbers of each animal, so there will be plenty to eat.
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- Domesticated Animals ( Horse, Sheep, Goats and Cows) - Zuni carvers supply the Navajo (Dine) Tribe with these fetishes. They are used to protect their herds and flocks from disease, injury and death. Horse is power.
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- Local Animals ( Beavers, Lizards, Horned Toads) - These animals are part of Zuni mythology, but are not carved to provide a specific benefit or blessing to the owner.
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- Cornmaidens - To read the story of the cornmaiden, click here
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* Note: Sometimes it is hard to distingush if the artist was carving a wolf, coyote or fox. Due to this, these animals are commonly grouped in the category of 'bushy tails'.
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| Some of the information on this page was taken from the book ' A Guide to Zuni Fetishes and Carvings ' by Kent McManis |
