Feathers in Native American Cultures
Feathers are most commonly associated with Native American culture and dress. However, there are many nations of Native Americans that ranged all over North America and feathers held different meanings for each of these tribes. Feathers could also be used to identify what nation and tribe to which a person belonged.
The Feather Headdress or War Bonnet is perhaps one of the most classic examples of featherwork in Native American cultures. However, these grand pieces of art truly belong to the people of the Plains. Only about a dozen or so Plains tribes, such as Sioux, Crow, Cree, Blackfeet and Cheyenne, used these pieces in their culture. These headdresses are made from eagle feathers, which are the most sacred of all feathers to these nations. Each feather has to be earned by an act of bravery in battle so the headdress was a symbol of how great a warrior a man was.
The other most classic example of Native American featherwork is the single feather in a leather head band. These are purely ornamental and are worn by both men and women members of the Northeastern nations. The feathers of many different types of birds including eagle, hawk, and turkey were used. These nations also would weave feathers together to make capes often worn in the winter months.
The feathers of different birds mean different things in different tribes. To some, owl feathers are a symbol of prophesy and death. However, in other nations, the pairing of owl feathers and hawk feathers is a symbol of life. Brightly colored feathers are used in medicine. Feathers of cardinals and blue jays for instance would be trimmed and boiled into a medicinal tea.
The usage of feathers and their meanings in different Native American cultures are as numerous as the cultures themselves. Sadly much of these cultures have been lost as tribes died out and were forced to live together.