Native American Shields
In many cultures of Native American people, males at various times of their
lives, went on what were known as “Vision Quests.” These
quests would guide a male through his journey in becoming a man to find his
spiritual name, spiritual guides, or both. At the culmination of the
quest, the male returned with a gift for the holy man or medicine man of the
tribe. The Holy Man would then interpret what the young man gained
through his quest and then transferred this symbolically to the person’s
shield.
Native American shields were a very important article to the Native American
man; not only because of the physical protection it afforded him, but also because
of the spiritual protection it provided. Because of the spiritual significance
especially, shields are a lasting symbol of the cultural identity of the Native
American man. Surprisingly, many of the Native American shields were not
used for actual physical protection, but were carried with them attached in some
way upon their animals or were put in a place of Honor, to the East of the warrior’s
lodge to maintain its’ spiritual protection.
Today, Collectors travel all over the country to reservations looking to purchase
authentic Native American shields. Vision questing is no longer a required
rite of passage in many of the remaining tribes and therefore the Native American
shields are a part of the economy sold to tourists and collectors. Replicas
can be found in many museum gift shops, craft and Native American pottery
stores and in online auction sites. Authentic Native American shields
are symmetrical, colorful, and bright. The colors represent different
feelings and ideas about spirituality. There will many times be drawings
or symbols telling a story about the owner and his journey throughout life. Sometimes
feathers, beads, and leather are attached and can symbolize many different
ideas and add to a very interesting and fulfilling biography.
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