The examples below are but a small sample of the total number of symbols used by the Great Plains people. Not every tribe used these same examples, however, as with sign languages, they were often used as a common means of communication to convey a central idea.
Tribes used their own colors for designs and symbols depending on their location and availability of various plants and minerals used to make paints. Symbols were constructed from materials close at hand, including clay, animal hides and wood that were either carved, painted or sculpted to achieve the desired effect.
Each of the symbols below are important, but in an effort not to lessen the importance of some of the more sacred symbols, they have been omitted out of respect.
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ARROW – Protection |
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ARROWS CROSSED – Friendship |
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ARROWHEAD – Alertness |
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BEAR TRACK – Good Omen |
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BIRD – Carefree, Lighthearted |
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BUTTERFLY – Everlasting Life |
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CACTUS – Sign of the Desert |
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CACTUS FLOWER – Courtship |
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CEREMONY DANCE ENCLOSURE |
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COYOTE TRACKS |
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DAYS AND NIGHTS – Time |
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EAGLE FEATHERS – Chief |
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FENCE – Guarding Good Luck |
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FOUR AGES – Infancy, Youth, Middle & Old Age |
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GILA MONSTER – Sign of the Desert |
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HOGAN – Permanent Home |
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HORSE – Journey |
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HOUSE OF WATER |
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LIGHTNING – Swiftness |
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LIGHTING SNAKE |
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MAN – Human Life |
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MEDICINE MAN’S EYE – Wise, Watchful, Knowing |
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MORNING STARS – Guidance |
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MOUNTAIN RANGE |
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PATHS CROSSING |
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PEACE |
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PLENTIFUL CROPS |
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RAIN – Plentiful Crops |
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RAIN DROP – Plentiful Crops |
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RATTLE SNAKE JAW – Strength |
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RUNNING WATER – Constant Life |
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size=3> SKY BAND – Defiance, Wisdom |
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SNAKE – Defiance, Wisdom |
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SUN RAYS – Constancy |
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TEPEE – Temporary Home |
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THUNDERBIRD – Sacred Barer of Happiness |
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THUNDERBIRD TRACK – Bright Prospects |
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WARDING OFF EVIL SPIRITS |
