Meanings of Northwest Coast Native Crest Designs

• Posted on 8 October 2024
• 0

Traditionally, Northwest Coast Native crests represents clans. Chiefs and clan members carve and paint their crest symbols on houses, canoes, clothing, boxes and utensils. A Chief may posses many different crests. A Crest is usually a supernatural being or the supernatural aspect of an animal. Crests, along with songs, stories, dances and other property were acquired by humans during supernatural experiences, and were then handed down to their descendants. During early times, humans, animals and other beings transformed into one another. Today, crests also have more contemporary meanings.

The Royal Family Crest above is designed by Wade Baker.

View our native art collection to learn more about Aboriginal symbols and designs created by our Native artists, or read on and click the photos below for product information and pricing. 

 

 

The Raven

The Raven is a trickster and a shape shifter.  He can transform into a human, an animal, a rock, or even a tiny hemlock needle.  He is clever, mischievous, selfish, and a troublemaker.  There are many stories told of him that teach lessons and values, often about how not to do things. He is also the central figure in stories about how the world became the way it is now. 

Raven lived in the land of spirits when the world was a watery darkness.   He was bored so he journeyed for years contributing to the creation of the world we live in.  Although he acted out of self interest, his actions benefitted the human race.  Raven brought light to the world. He discovered and freed the first men and women and placed them on the earth.  Raven stole salmon from the Beaver People and deposited them in the streams and rivers up and down the coast to provide food for the People. 

Raven has two sides. The one is creative and loving. The other is destructive, lazy and selfish.  Raven has many names and identities among Indigenous Nations. 

Raven tales are the traditional creation stories of the Indigenous northwest.  Following  are two well known Raven Tales.

Raven Steals the Sun

The light of the world was kept in a series of bentwood boxes nested within each other.  An old chief kept it hidden away because he hated people.  Raven wanted the ball of light.  He watched the chiefs daughter as she got water from a stream.  He transformed himself into a hemlock needle and floated down the stream into her dipper and made her thirsty.  She drank and swallowed the hemlock needle. She returned home impregnated with Raven inside her.  A child was born and accepted into the family. The old chief came to love his grandchild who was actually Raven in disguise. The child cried and cried to play with the bentwood box.  The doting grandfather eventually gave in to the child. Raven worked his way through the boxes until he accessed the ball of light in the centre. He immediately transformed back into Raven and flew out of the house through the smokehole in the roof taking the light with him. The fiery light burned his beautiful snow white feathers and turned them black.  Raven placed the sun in the sky, and the moon and stars in the night sky. Before that time there was only darkness. 

Raven and the First Men

When the great flood receded Raven ate shellfish on a beach until he could eat no more.  Then he heard and saw some tiny beings inside a giant clam shell.  He got curious and approached them. The beings were afraid and sealed the shell shut.  Raven was unable to open it so he coaxed the human to come out and play with him. The first men started climbing all over Raven.  He got tired of it and flew away.  They tickled Raven as he flew until he shook them off.  Wherever they landed the first villages were established. Raven got bored with the humans because they were all males so he searched the world for females until he finally found women trapped in giant chiton shells. He freed them and put the women and men together and they built families.  Raven began to provide for them with fire, salmon, oolichans, and cedar, and he taught them how to survive and live in the world he created. 

See our selection of Pendleton Blankets like the 'Raven and the Box of Knowledge' blanket above

The Thunderbird

The Thunderbird is a supernatural being that looks like a giant Eagle, except that he is depicted with curly ears or horns.  He is the embodiment of the awesome power of nature, the spirit of the storm.  He creates Thunder by flapping his wings and Lightning flashes from his eyes.  He catches Orca Whales with his powerful talons and carries them to his home on the mountaintops to feast on. 

Thunderbird is a respected family crest and a powerful protector that intermediates between the human and spirit worlds.  He is associated with the western direction of the medicine wheel, with water, which is the source of all life, and with the Cedar Tree.  He is a central figure in northwest coast Indigenous spiritual and ceremonial life.

View all model totem poles available at Cheryl's Trading Post, like the Thunderbird and Seal Totem Pole by Harvey Williams pictured above.

The Bear

For the Indigenous peoples of Canada's West Coast, the bear is a profoundly significant being, woven into the fabric of the cultures, spiritual beliefs, and traditional ways of life. The bear symbolizes healing, strength, protection, and a deep connection to the natural and spiritual worlds. Cedar carvings capture the the bear’s profound intelligence and communicative nature.  The cedar material itself grounds the artwork in the forest’s spirit.

The bear is associated with healing and doctoring. Indigenous medicine people have long observed the bear's knowledge of medicinal plants, noting what bears consume when sick or what they rub against when wounded. Its great power and strength extend to the spirit world, making the bear a formidable protector. This protective nature is vividly illustrated in the image of the Mother Bear and her cubs, a universal symbol of fierce devotion and safeguarding of family.

Bears possess a gentle and timid nature, revealing their protective, loyal, friendly, and compassionate sides. Their remarkable intelligence allows for diverse forms of communication.  Their physical prowess is equally notable as they can reach speeds of up to 40 km per hour, quickly climb tall trees, and possess an exceptional sense of smell capable of detecting scents from over a mile away.

Bears are seen as guardians of the forest.  They play a critical role in maintaining healthy ecosystems.  Native people respect bears and have lied in harmony with them throughout time.   This relationship contributes to protecting bears and their habitats, as their well-being is linked to the overall balance of life.

The bear is an important family crest in northwest coast Native cultures.  Bear clan members are believed to be descended from a time when Humans and Bears transformed back and forth and communicated freely.  This history illustrates the interconnectedness of all life.  The Bear is widely represented on totem poles, masks, and other carvings reminding of the power and value of the natural and supernatural worlds.

The Native crest above represents the Bear, deeply carved in red cedar by Indigenous artist Curtis Joe. View all Northwest Coast Native Carvings in stock.

The Wolf

For Indigenous Peoples of Canada's West Coast, the wolf holds profound significance, embodying a complex array of meanings rooted in respect, kinship, and spiritual understanding. Far from being viewed solely as a predator, the wolf is seen as a powerful symbol deeply interwoven with cultural values, social structures, and origin stories.  

One of the most prominent aspects of the wolf's symbolism relates to family, loyalty, and community. Wolves are highly social animals known for their pack structure, cooperation in hunting, and care for their young. Indigenous cultures often observe and admire these traits, seeing the wolf pack as a model for strong community bonds, interdependence, and the importance of working together for collective well-being. The wolf teaches the value of loyalty to one's group and the strength found in unity. This resonates deeply within cultures where kinship ties and community cohesion are paramount.  

The wolf is also revered for its inherent power, intelligence, and skill as a hunter. These attributes are not seen with fear, but with respect. In many narratives and beliefs, the wolf is a great teacher, imparting lessons about survival, strategy, and adapting to the environment. Its keen senses and endurance are admired, making it a symbol of strength and perseverance. Spiritually, the wolf often acts as a guide or messenger, sometimes appearing in visions or dreams. It can be associated with transformation, bridging the gap between the physical and spiritual realms. Some origin stories trace lineage back to supernatural wolf ancestors, highlighting a deep, familial connection.  

On the Northwest Coast specifically, the wolf is one of the most significant crest figures used by nations such as the Kwakwaka'wakw, Nuu-chah-nulth, Tsimshian, Haida, and Tlingit. Families and clans claim the wolf as an emblem representing their lineage, history, inherited rights, and spiritual connections. Wolf imagery is prominently displayed on totem poles, masks, ceremonial regalia, house fronts, and other forms of art, signifying identity and belonging. These representations are not mere decorations; they are visual assertions of heritage and connection to the powers and characteristics embodied by the wolf.  

Browse all of our Northwest Coast Native Jewelry like the repouse Wolf bracelet by Jay Simeon (Haida) that is pictured above.

The Orca Whale

For the Indigenous Peoples of Canada's West Coast, the Orca, or Killer Whale is a being of immense power, respect, and profound spiritual significance.  It is a central figure in cosmology, lineage, and cultural expression, embodying a rich tapestry of meanings.  

The orca commands reverence as the apex predator of the ocean, often regarded as the "chief of the undersea world" or the "wolf of the sea."  Its strength, intelligence, and skill in hunting are deeply respected. This power is not typically seen as malevolent, but rather as a fundamental force of nature deserving of awe.  Indigenous stories often recount the orca's prowess, its ability to travel great distances, and its mastery over its marine domain.  This makes the orca a symbol of strength, leadership, and resilience.  

Beyond its physical might, the orca's complex social structure and strong familial bonds resonate deeply with West Coast Indigenous cultures, where kinship and community are paramount.  Orcas live in matrilineal pods, exhibiting lifelong family ties, cooperative hunting, and shared care for their young.  This sophisticated social organization is often seen as a parallel to human communities, reinforcing the values of family loyalty, cooperation, and mutual support.  The orca, therefore, becomes a teacher, demonstrating how to live harmoniously within a close-knit group.  

Spiritually, the orca is often regarded as a powerful guardian, a protector of seafarers, and a messenger between the human and spirit worlds. Many stories tell of transformations, where humans become orcas or orcas take on human form, signifying a deep, mystical connection between the two.  It's widely believed that orcas can embody the spirits of deceased chiefs, ancestors, or relatives, continuing to watch over and guide their living kin from the sea. Encountering an orca can be a profound spiritual experience, carrying messages or portents.  

The orca is also one of the most prominent and revered crests among many Northwest Coast First Nations, including the Haida, Kwakwaka'wakw, Nuu-chah-nulth, Tsimshian, Gitxsan and Tlingit.  Families and clans claim the orca as an emblem that signifies their lineage, inherited rights, ancestral histories, and spiritual powers. Its distinctive black and white form, particularly its powerful dorsal fin, is a dominant feature on totem poles, house fronts, masks, ceremonial regalia, canoes, and other art forms.  These depictions are not merely decorative but are vital expressions of identity, heritage, and connection to the spiritual and natural worlds.  

In essence, the orca whale for West Coast Indigenous Peoples is a multifaceted symbol of immense power, deep family loyalty, spiritual guidance, protection, and ancestral connection, integral to their cultural identity and worldview.

Check our our full selection of hand carved masks like this Killer Whale mask by Patrick Amos.

The Frog

The Frog can live in and travel between two worlds, on the earth and under the water, and also in the natural world and the supernatural. He is a helper to Shamans. He is a great communicator and his songs have spiritual and magical qualities. The Frog is associated with copper and wealth, and also with water, springtime and renewal. The Frog announces the end of the winter dance season. The final Snowflakes turn to Frogs when they touch the ground.  

View more traditional Haida argillite carvings like the frog pipe above.

The Sisiutl

The Sisiutl is a giant two-headed sea serpent. He can transform into a self-propelling two-headed copper canoe. He guards the entrance of houses of supernaturals. Humans carve or paint images of Sisiutles over doorways for protection. He is a powerful warrior helper spirit. Warriors wear a headband with a Sisiutl painted on it for strength and protection.  

The Sisiutl is one of the highest ranking crests. He is depicted with three heads, one in the centre and one at each end, all have curling horns and sharp teeth.  

The Sisiutl medicine chest above was hand carved by artist Jimmy Joseph. See all Carved Boxes and Chests for sale at Cheryl's Trading Post. 

Questions about the Native crests showcased here? Learn about the art we have in stock, as well as our custom orders. Contact Cheryl's Trading Post at [email protected] or call us: 1-778-886-5090.