All Indian art is symbolic, and the decorative native designs may be so
applied in bead-work, basketry, weaving, embroidery, or jewelry as to
express the ideals and personality of the maker. This is true of all the
tribes, but the individual symbols vary with their customs and habitat.
[Illustration: Fig. 11.]
In all genuine Sioux handiwork, the central design is the isosceles
triangle (Fig. 11), representing the conical teepee or tent--the home.
This is used in many different ways. Two tents with the bases united,
forming a diamond (Fig. 12), indicate the four points of the compass, or
the whole world. Two tents with the peaks together (Fig. 13) are
symbolic of life here and hereafter. The dark tent cut in half with a
band of white, yellow, or light blue in the center (Fig. 14) signifies
happiness in the home. The tent enclosed in a circle (Fig. 15) means
eternal union.
[Illustration: Fig. 12.]
[Illustration: Fig. 13.]
[Illustration: Fig. 14.]
[Illustration: Fig. 15.]
[Illustration: Fig. 16.]
Figure 16 is commonly used to represent footprints or man's trail
through the world. The zig-zag line (Fig. 17) is lightning or
destruction; the wavy line (Fig. 18) mountains or prayer.
[Illustration: Fig. 17.]
[Illustration: Fig. 18.]
In the symbolism of colors, pale blue or white is generally used for
background, and represents sky or heaven; red, life; dark blue or black,
shadow or trouble; green, summer or plenty; and yellow, sun-light or
happiness. Dark blue, dovetailed with pale blue or yellow, represents
the light and shade of life's common experience.
Animal figures are much used in conventionalized designs. The figure of
the bear means courage; the buffalo, plenty; the eagle (wings spread),
honor; the owl, observation; the wolf, skill; the turtle, wisdom and
longevity; the serpent, healing; the hawk, swiftness; the beaver,
industry; the deer, love. The figure of a man on horseback represents a
warrior.
No Indian girl may wear the skin or any representation of the bear,
wolf, or cat, nor wear the feathers of the eagle, since these are
masculine emblems. The doe, ermine, otter, and mink are feminine
emblems.
It is usually possible to distinguish feminine from masculine personal
names by the meaning. The names of the fiercer wild animals, such as
bear, wolf, and eagle, are given to boys; girls are called after the
fawn, mink, beaver, etc. Either may be called after sky, wind, or water,
but the name of Fire is masculine. The syllable "wee" is a feminine
termination.
"Na" is a diminutive, used much like "ie" in English.
The following are Sioux feminine names appropriate to "Camp Fire girls,"
with their literal and symbolic meanings.
Wee-no'-nah. Eldest Daughter. Loafgiver, charitable.
Wee-hah'-kay-dah. Youngest Daughter. Little One.
War-chah'-wash-tay. Pretty Flower. Beautiful.
O-jin'-jint-kah. Rose. Queen of Flowers.
Zit-kah'-lah-skah. White Bird. Pure.
Do'-wan-ho'-wee. Singing Voice.
Wa-chee'-wee. Dancing Girl.
Han-tay'-wee. Cedar Maid. Faithful.
Wa-zee'-me-nah-wee. Odors of the Pine. Wholesome, refreshing.
Mah-kah'-wee. Earth Maiden. Generous, motherly.
Mah-pee'-yah. Sky. Heavenly.
E-ha'-wee. Laughing Maid.
Wee-ko'. Pretty Girl.
Ptay-san'-wee. White Buffalo. Queen of the Herd.
Mah-gah'-skah-wee. Swan Maiden. Graceful.
Wah-su'-lah. Little Hailstorm. Stormy, impulsive.
Snah'-nah. Jingles (like little bells). Musical.
Ta-lu'-tah. Scarlet. Brilliant.
Ta-tee'-yo-pah. Her Door. Happy Hostess.
Wee-tash'-nah. Virgin. Untouched.
Tak-cha'-wee. Doe. Loving.
Chah'-pah-wee. Beaver. Industrious.
An-pay'-too. Day. Radiant.
Wik-mun'-kee-wee. Rainbow. Return of Blessing.
And some Ojibway girls' names.
Man-e-do-bin'-es. Spirit Bird, or Bird Spirit.
O-min-o-tah'-go. Pleasant Voice.
Ke-we-din'-ok. Woman of the Wind.
A-ya'-she. Little One.
A-be'-da-bun. Peep of Day,
Ke-zhe-ko'-ne. Fire Briskly Burning.
O-dah-ing'-um. Ripple on the Water.
Me-o-quan'-ee. Clothed in Red.
Nah-tah'-ak-on. Expert Canoeist.
She-she'-bens. Little Duck.
A-be'-qua. She Stays at Home.