Fetishes have been made by Native Americans for at least 1300 years, but the Zuņi are perhaps most well known for their fetishes due to their intricate carving. In recent years, the collection of Zuņi fetishes has become very popular. A word of caution though, some unscrupulous businesses sell fetishes purported to be be Zuņi, but they are not.
North = Mountain Lion = Yellow West = Bear = Blue South = Badger = Red East = Wolf = White Sky = Eagle = All Colors Underworld = Mole = Black
The primary color of any fetish is stronger than any other color for that fetish. For example, a yellow mountain lion is stronger than a red mountain lion. The primary color is called the "elder brother" of any other color for that fetish. Also, since the mountain lion is most powerful, he is elder brother to the bear. The bear is the elder brother to the badger, etc.
A person needing protection or healing would carry one of the guardian fetishes. Which one? The person and/or the medicine man best determine that.
Water (rain) fetishes are frogs, tadpoles, salamanders and the turtle. The war fetish is represented by a multicolor mountain lion. The turtle represents long life. Healing/medicine is represented by a white bear. Protection on a journey is provided by the mountain lion. The bear (any color) is especially powerful in providing strength and well being. A heart line on any fetish represents magical powers in the fetish's heart. Remember, the heart lives in the stone! A heart line may be any color, but a good much of them are turquoise. Sometimes you see a bundle attached to a fetish. The bundle may be an arrowhead, a shell, turquoise, feathers, etc. The purpose of these bundles is to enable the fetish to better serve the user.
Fetishes are represented by small stone carvings found on necklaces and to a lesser extent on other types of personal jewelry, somewhat larger table fetishes, and occasionally by very large carvings (6" or more). Generally speaking, Zuņi carvers only make fetishes table size or smaller. Occasionally, a fetish may be made from material other than a mineral, such as wood.
A Guide to Zuņi Fetishes and Carvings by Kent McManis Zuņi Fetish Carvings by Dr. Harold Finkelstein Zuni Fetishes by Frank Hamilton Cushing (this is particularly interesting as it was first published in 1881 after extensive field research by the author)
Another point to keep in mind is that fetishes represent a significant religious power for many people. While your personal belief system may not attribute power to fetishes, always show respect for fetishes. By showing respect for the fetish, you are showing respect for the religious belief of which they are a part.