Native and tribal peoples believe that all animals have lessons to teach us. By observing the characteristics and behaviors of our four legged and feathered relatives, we can become aware of these lessons. Many native peoples carry or wear carvings of animals (fetishes) as a reminder of the wisdom, experience, understanding and medicine power of that animal. These likenesses honor our animal teachers, as well as inspire us toward a clearer understanding of our own strengths and remind us of where we may need to concentrate more effort in our own lives.
| Ant: | patience, stamina, community-mindedness |
| Antelope: | knowledgeable action, speed, rapid growth, grace |
| Armadillo: | knowledge of boundaries, objectivity |
| Badger: | aggressiveness, persistence, centeredness |
| Bat: | releasing old habits, new growth, rebirth |
| Bear: | strength, introspection, self-knowledge |
| Beaver: | balance, alterations, building, shaping |
| Bee: | service, gathering, community |
| Bird: | unity, freedom, community |
| Buffalo: | abundance, prayer, healing, good fortune |
| Butterfly: | transformation, courage to change, balance, grace |
| Caribou: | travel, mobility |
| Cat: | grace, independence, sensuality, psychic vision |
| Cougar/Mt.Lion: | balanced leadership, cunning, wit |
| Coyote: | humor, trickiness, adaptability, reversal of fortune |
| Crow: | council, intuitive knowledge of universal law, assertiveness |
| Deer: | gentleness, sensitivity, alertness, peace |
| Dog: | loyalty, courage, unconditional love |
| Dolphin: | harmony, love, wisdom, connection with self |
| Dragonfly: | refinement of skills, illusion, need for change, relentlessness |
| Duck | female-mothering energy, male-coping with stress |
| Eagle: | spiritual enlightenment, clarity of vision, transcendence |
| Elephant: | memory, learning abilitly, health, good luck |
| Elk: | stamina, friendship, pride, power, majesty |
| Falcon: | accuracy, rapid progress, restraint |
| Fox: | cleverness, adaptability, cunning, subtlety, discretion |
| Frog: | emotional healing, cleansing, peace |
| Goat: | tenacity, diligence |
| Goose: | safe return, love of home |
| Gopher: | gathering, preparation for the future |
| Grouse: | completion, sacred spiral dance, fulfillment |
| Hawk: | messenger, truth seeker, clear vision, heightened awareness |
| Hedgehog: | self-preservation |
| Horse: | inner power, freedom, safe movement |
| Hummingbird: | beauty, wonder,joy, agility |
| Lion: | association with the sun, courage, nobleness, prosperity |
| Lizard: | caution, regeneration, renewal, growth |
| Loon: | communication, serenity |
| Lynx: | subtlety, silence, secretiveness, elusiveness |
| Manatee: | serenity, gentleness, trust |
| Moose: | self-esteem, confidence, strength, spontaneity, unpredictability |
| Mouse: | scrutiny, caution, success, awareness of danger, illusion, charm |
| Opossum: | peaceful alternatives, deception |
| Otter: | playfulness, efficiency, female energy, healing power of laughter |
| Owl: | wisdom, insight, psychic vision |
| Pidgeon: | romantic love, loyalty, peace, innocence |
| Porcupine: | self-protection, memory, security, innocence, humility |
| Quail: | protectiveness, group harmony |
| Rabbit: | conquering fear, safety, gentleness with self |
| Raccoon: | curiosity, skillful investigation, playful energy |
| Raven: | prophecy, clairvoyant vision, magic, mystery, exploring unknown |
| Salmon: | determination, persistence |
| Sandpiper: | quickness, foraging, scavenging |
| Seagull: | observation, swift action, opportunity,carefree attitude, versatility |
| Seal: | contentment |
| Skunk: | reputation, self-preservation, respect |
| Snake: | transmutation, fertility, regeneration, life force,sexual potency |
| Spider: | creativity, balance, interconnectedness, industry |
| Squirrel: | planning ahead, palyfulness trust |
| Swan: | grace, faithfulness, committment |
| Tiger: | caution, appropriate timing, stealth |
| Turkey: | setting limits, appreciation, renewal |
| Turtle: | protection,longevity,healing, symbol of the bounty of Mother Earth |
| Vulture: | resolution of problems |
| Weasel: | stealth, seeing beneath the surface, supernatural power |
| Whale: | intelligence, self-expression, intuition, creativity |
| Woodpecker: | sacred heartbeat, rain caller, growth, fertility, cleansing |
| Wolf: | eliminating weakness, committment, family loyalty, teaching skill |
| Zebra: | power, alertness, community |
