FETISH A fetish is a carved stone, in which a spirit is thought to reside. It is believed to possess powers of strength and inner power to perceive one’s present circumstance. It is said to have remarkable powers witnessed to change or affect the course of events for good or evil.  Fetishes have been carved out of stone and shell and were always very simply done It has been in about the last 80 years that fetishes were more realistically carved. It may include a medicine bundle, tightly bound to the back of the fetish, wrapped with a leather thong or sinew, to tie onto prayer feathers or other personal items. A bundle of stones, shells, arrowheads attached to the back or body of a fetish are believed to be an offering to aid the one who possesses the fetish. -Bear Art Web Site   Fetishes have been used by Indians since pre-Columbian times. In archaeological excavations, stones have been found that resemble certain animals and many had added adornments such as shells and stones wrapped by fiber or sinew.  Native Americans have long carried interesting or unusual “charm stones” believing they bring luck, power or protection. The A-shi-wi, Zuni Pueblo Indians, like most Native American Indians, feel that animals and plants have spiritual nature. A fetish is an object, natural or shaped by man, in which an animal spirit is thought to reside. Stones that naturally resemble animals are “concretion” fetishes. Concretions and stones that require very little carving to bring out an image are considered more powerful than fetishes that require a great deal of carving. In short, the reason goes back to when the Zuni believe that the world was once covered by floodwaters that left it swampy. The Sun Father, revered by the Zuni as the giver of life and light, created twin sons giving them a magic shield, a bow {the rainbow} and arrows {lightning}. The Twins realized the world was too wet for mankind to survive so they placed their shield, the rainbow, crossed lightning arrows on top of the rainbow and shot an arrow into the point where they crossed and lightning flew out creating a tremendous fire. This dried the earth but made it too easy for predators to catch and eat people. To save humanity, the Twins struck these animals with their lightning, shriveling them into stone. But deep within, the animal’s hearts were kept alive, with instructions to help mankind with the magic captured within them. When a Zuni finds a stone that naturally resembles an animal, this is one of these ancient stone animals. Today, Zuni Indians revere, care for and feed their fetishes. The animal spirit must be nurtured for the owner to receive the fetish’s assistance. Some fetishes are created with special features: an inlaid or carved “heartline” which is the breath path leading to the power in the fetish’s heart, a bundle with various stones, shells or arrowheads is sometimes wrapped to a fetish and serves as an offering which empowers the fetish to better aid its owner. The Zuni universe is divided into six regions with each associated with a different color and guarded by a certain animal. These animals are known as the “directional” or guardian fetishes.  The most important fetishes have been the animals of the hunt – the predator fetishes. They were used to assist Zuni hunters. The predator fetishes are admired for their strong hearts, which many believe the strong hearts makes them dominant and, therefore, survivors; hunter rather than hunted.  Fetish Meanings   Armadillo: Gentle, quiet reserve, ability to live in a niche of its own, solitude Badger: Aggressiveness, control, passion, persistence Bear: Guardian fetish of the West, healing fetish, strength in the face of adversity Beaver: industrious, diligent, skillful Buffalo: Prophesy and fulfillment of prayers Butterfly: Beauty, transformation, rebirth Coyote: Trickster, the ability to laugh at one’s own mistakes Deer: Grace, gratitude, ability to sacrifice for the higher good Eagle: Vision, higher truths, Guardian fetish of the Upper Region Falcon: Power, harmony, intuitive, ability to see the “big picture” Fox: Cleverness, ability to blend in, observant, loyalty to loved ones Frog: Rain and fertility fetish Horse: Power, expanding one’s abilities, prosperous and safe journey Hummingbird: Energy, joy Lizard: Patience, wisdom Mole: Guardian fetish of the Lower Region, ability to look inward, awareness, grounding Mountain Lion: Guardian fetish of the North, leadership, personal power, agility Owl: Protector of the home, wisdom and the ability to see what others cannot, link between the spiritual and physical world Rabbit: Gentleness, charm, playful trickster, awareness of others, depends on it’s wit Raven: Adept, clever, magic, transformation Snake: Lightning, the ability to transmute, important in Zuni ceremonialism Squirrel: Foresight, the ability to plan ahead, industrious Turtle: Symbol of Mother Earth, self-reliance, tenacity, centered, longevity Wolf: Teaches us truths, inner guidance, clarity, loyalty, sociability -from Southwest Silver Gallery ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++     This is a 15/16 inch maximum width X 1 1/2 inches maximum length X 7/8 inch maximum height turtle carving in light greyish green and shades of reddish brown agate stone.  It has a bundle of 5 millimeters X 7 millimeters turquoise nugget, 5 millimeters round red coral bead and black and brown feather held together by sinew.  ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Carved by DuWayne Turpin, Navajo.  With the fetish is a certificate of authenticity signed by DuWayne Turpin, artist census # 401,578.  +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Thanks for visiting.   Check out my other items! 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