There is the mistaken idea that one tribe “understands” the designs of
another tribe and that there is symbolism, or meaning, to every design.
Actually, _most_ designs are purely decorative renderings and they have
no more symbolism for the Indian than a fabric design has for the
general public.
The identification of a basket is made not through the interpretation of
a “mysterious meaning” of the design but generally from the design motif
itself. For instance, baskets made by tribes of southern California are
distinguishable to the trained eye since they tend to be of a
particularly heavy, bold and angular style. They seldom have _mysterious
meanings_!
(See Plate 12b)