Meanings of Northwest Coast Native Crest Designs

• Posted on 13 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 box 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. 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 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. The Thunderbird 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 Warriors’ helper spirit.

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

The Bear symbolizes healing and doctoring. Indian medicine began when people followed bears to observe what they ate when sick and what they rubbed against when wounded. Bears have great power and strength. They are protectors. Think of a Mother Bear and her Cubs. Bear clan members are believed to be descended from a time when Humans and Bears transformed back and forth.

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

The Wolf

Wolves are strong family members. They mate for life, hunt together in packs, and care for their young and each other. They are the animals that are most like humans. They have strong supernatural power which helps them be great hunters. Wolves and Killer Whales are believed to be the same being - Wolf on land, Killer Whale in the water.  

Wolves and Ravens hunt together. Ravens lead them to the prey, then feast on the leftovers.

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

The Orca Whale

Orcas are sometimes called Sea Wolves. They are like wolves in that they live and hunt in a close family unit or pack. Wolves and Orcas are believed to be able to transform back and forth. They are also closely related to humans and are thought of as protectors and healers of humans. It’s believed Humans that have transformed into Orcas sometimes swim close to shore when they miss their old life. It’s good luck to be splashed by an Orca.

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.