DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42067#0145
Symbolism
123
angle might have been derived. The realistic forms of the western
tribes are almost exclusively crudely pictographic and no transition
from the pictograph to ornamental, geometric patterns can be traced.
The realistic forms of the eastern tribes are found particularly in
mattings and weaving. These also show no relation to the triangular
forms that we are discussing. The theory that the pattern has
developed under the stress of a compelling style that cast a variety
of realistic forms into the same mould does not find support in the
facts, because transitional forms are lacking. We conclude, therefore,
that the sameness of form and the difference of meaning are not
due to a geometrisation of realistic forms but to a reading in of
significance into old conventional patterns. This view is corroborated
by the prevailing uncertainty in regard to many of the meanings.
The Blackfeet, according to Clark Wissler,1 have practically no feel-
ing whatever for the significance of these designs. The Arapaho
behave somewhat differently on different occasions. Ceremonial
paraphernalia may have fairly definite meaning, while clothing, bags
and other objects are given interpretations that are quite subjective
and which show therefore great individual differences.
The importance of the social position, or perhaps better, of the
social interests of the owner of an object, in determining the mean-
ing of ornaments has been demonstrated most clearly among the
Sioux Indians. In former times their ornamentation was made in
porcupine quill embroidery, but at present beads have taken place
of the quills. Men and women use to a considerable extent the
same ornamental designs, but with distinctive meaning. A diamond-
shaped pattern with attached double triangular appendages, when
found on a cradle, or a woman’s legging, is interpreted as a turtle,
the turtle being a symbol closely associated with birth and maturity
of the woman. When found on a man’s legging it represents a
slain enemy.2
1 Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, Vol. 18, p. 276.
2 Clark Wissler, Decorative Art of the Sioux Indians, Bull. Am. Mus. Nat.
Hist., Vol. 18, pp. 253, 273.
123
angle might have been derived. The realistic forms of the western
tribes are almost exclusively crudely pictographic and no transition
from the pictograph to ornamental, geometric patterns can be traced.
The realistic forms of the eastern tribes are found particularly in
mattings and weaving. These also show no relation to the triangular
forms that we are discussing. The theory that the pattern has
developed under the stress of a compelling style that cast a variety
of realistic forms into the same mould does not find support in the
facts, because transitional forms are lacking. We conclude, therefore,
that the sameness of form and the difference of meaning are not
due to a geometrisation of realistic forms but to a reading in of
significance into old conventional patterns. This view is corroborated
by the prevailing uncertainty in regard to many of the meanings.
The Blackfeet, according to Clark Wissler,1 have practically no feel-
ing whatever for the significance of these designs. The Arapaho
behave somewhat differently on different occasions. Ceremonial
paraphernalia may have fairly definite meaning, while clothing, bags
and other objects are given interpretations that are quite subjective
and which show therefore great individual differences.
The importance of the social position, or perhaps better, of the
social interests of the owner of an object, in determining the mean-
ing of ornaments has been demonstrated most clearly among the
Sioux Indians. In former times their ornamentation was made in
porcupine quill embroidery, but at present beads have taken place
of the quills. Men and women use to a considerable extent the
same ornamental designs, but with distinctive meaning. A diamond-
shaped pattern with attached double triangular appendages, when
found on a cradle, or a woman’s legging, is interpreted as a turtle,
the turtle being a symbol closely associated with birth and maturity
of the woman. When found on a man’s legging it represents a
slain enemy.2
1 Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, Vol. 18, p. 276.
2 Clark Wissler, Decorative Art of the Sioux Indians, Bull. Am. Mus. Nat.
Hist., Vol. 18, pp. 253, 273.