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Symbols of Native America
 
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Symbols of Native America [Paperback]

Heike Owusu (Author)
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)

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Product Description

Over 1000 illustrations show the fascinating origins and meanings of 300 symbols and signs used by North American tribes. The magnificent variety of symbols are shown as they were used in pottery, clothing, masks, shields, totems, and other settings, carved, sewn, and painted. The collection starts with the simplest symbols--from lines, circles, and curves, to crosses, triangles, and squares--then traces their combinations into ever-more complex designs. Many symbols depict bonds with nature--particularly animals and landscape features--which appear in clan identifications, picture-writing, rituals, legends, and stories that convey heroism and wisdom. A special section explains how more than 80 different animals may have different meanings among cultures of the Southwest, Plains, Northwest Coast, Sub-Arctic North, and the Northeast. 320 pages, 150 b/w illus., 5 5/8 x 7 1/2.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful reference guide!, April 27 2001
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"avalon4" (FL, United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Symbols of Native America (Paperback)
This is a wonderful book to pick if you are looking for a great selection of symbols, from a variety of tribes and regions. The pictures are intricate and rich in detail. Included next to each symbol are an explanation, a story, or legend for a more informative reading. There is also a section on totem animals with a brief explanation on how to find your own totems. And in case you don't know which particular region a tribe is from, the author has included a rough map in the back for this purpose. I would also recommend "Authentic Indian Designs", edited by Maria Naylor.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com: 2.5 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful reference guide!, April 27 2001
By "avalon4" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Symbols of Native America (Paperback)
This is a wonderful book to pick if you are looking for a great selection of symbols, from a variety of tribes and regions. The pictures are intricate and rich in detail. Included next to each symbol are an explanation, a story, or legend for a more informative reading. There is also a section on totem animals with a brief explanation on how to find your own totems. And in case you don't know which particular region a tribe is from, the author has included a rough map in the back for this purpose. I would also recommend "Authentic Indian Designs", edited by Maria Naylor.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars Nice drawings but no substance., Feb 7 2011
By Mark W. Miller - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Symbols of Native America (Paperback)
This book has a great deal of intricate drawings, some of which are atributed to particular tribes but most of which are just referred to as tribes in general. What are the sources of this information? We don't know because the author gave us no sources, no footnotes, no references, not even a bibliography. In the the frontispiece about the author it says she "gained spiritual insight into the world from an early age". It goes on to say "When her life was threatened by a severe illness, she maaged to recover with the help of meditation, relaxation and a self healing method she developed herself.--today she passes her knowledge on in cosmic pictures, illustrations & through writing." Not exactly a glowing resume with no mention of any formal or informal education concerning Native Americanor their symbolism. Did she live with a tribe or just make this up in her basement while meditating? We don't know so how can we determine it's acuracy? Did she learn from books or a teacher or ...the internet? The publisher advertizes the book as "NEW AGE".

In the previous review a comment was added saying "the deer depicted is the Roe Deer, specifically. There are no roe deer in North America." That is correct. Clearly the author has symbolism from other countries mixed in with Native American cultures in her quest for spirituality. Many of her other drawings are simply lacking in accuracy or plain wrong. For example the arrows she shows are from a European context & totally different than the ones I've seen on the actual plains tribes artifacts. The authentic symbol shows feather barbs on one side only while her arrow symbol has no feathers at all. Most are not tribe specific and some of them have multiple meanings yet ony one is referred to. Being tribe specific is absolutely esential to get the corect meaning from symbols. Tribes didn't copy everything from each other, They spoke several hundred different languages.

I wish I had a good reference book to refer readers (& myself) to, but as yet there doesn't seem to be one... Being spiritual is fine but I was looking for an accurate reference to Native American symbols. Sadly this is not it.
› Go to Amazon U.S. to see both reviews  2.5 out of 5 stars 
 
 
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