Native American legends and oral stories record tribal histories. Here we have collected legends from over 300 tribes, along with native American tribal prophecies and the meanings of native American symbols in lore and art. Most tribes have legends for their creation and origin stories about where and how they arrived on the surface of planet Earth.
Every aspect of life, death, and existence has its own story to explain why things are the way they are. Often, different Native American tribes had very similar beliefs, but most tribes have their own unique variations in the details of these legends.
Most native American societies have some sort of trickster figure, who embodies both mischeviousness and foolish acts that teach a valuable lesson, along with acts of bravery and wisdom. In many tribes, the trickster figure is either a coyote or a raven.
Most Native American mythology has some roots in fact.
Bluejay was a trickster who enjoyed playing clever tricks on everyone, especially his sister Ioi.  As she was the eldest sister, Bluejay was supposes to obey her. But he deliberately misinterpreted what she said, excusing himself by saying, "Ioi always tells lies."
Ioi decided that it was high time for Bluejay to quit his playful life of trickery and settle down with a wife. Â She told him that he must select a wife from the people of the land of the dead, who were called the "Supernatural People". Â Ioi recommended that Bluejay choose an old woma for a wife and suggested the recently deceased wife of a chief.
Near the beginning of time, five Seminole Indian men wanted to visit the sky to see the Great Spirit.They travelled to the East, walking for about a month. Finally, they arrived at land's end. They tossed their baggage over the end and they, too, disappeared beyond earth's edge.
The Makah Indians, who live on the farthest point of the northwest corner of Washington State, used to tell stories not about one Changer, but about the Two-Men-Who-Changed-Things. So did their close relatives, who lived on Vancouver Island, across the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
The Makah Indians, who live on the farthest point of the northwest corner of Washington State, used to tell stories not about one Changer, but about the Two-Men-Who-Changed-Things. So did their close relatives, who lived on Vancouver Island, across the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Spider Rock stands with awesome dignity and beauty over 800 feet high in Arizona's colourful Canyon de Chelly National Park (pronounced da Shay). Geologists of the National Park Service say that "the formation began 230 million years ago.
Animals, elements, the solar system, and natural phenomena are revered by the Apaches. That which is beyond their understanding is always ascribed to the supernatural. Here is their creation story.