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Six Directions Set© 2007 Horsekeeping LLC © Copyright Information
The home is guarded on each side by the animal guardian of each of the six regions. Often a group of six fetishes representing the six directions are placed in the home as a set to protect the home.
The hierarchy is as follows:
Various animals represent certain powers.
Some Zuni artists carve all six fetishes out of one piece of stone – this is a very rare Six Directions set.
Another approach is to carve one fetish, say the badger, larger and then to tie the other five fetishes, carved in a smaller scale, to the badger.
A more common grouping is a display of the six fetishes, all in approximately the same scale, on a natural setting such as one made with rocks and wood.
Most Native American tribes use fetishes in one way or another and many tribes carve fetishes. The southwestern tribes excel at stone, antler and shell carvings and the Zuni is the most noted carvers of all the southwestern tribes. Because of that Zuni fetishes are often very expensive. Very nice carvings by Navajo carvers are available at more affordable prices. Therefore, we have indicated all the information we have on each piece in each set. Some sets are made up of all Zuni carvings, others are a combination of carvings by Zuni and Navajo artists. Once you purchase a set, you can always replace one particular animal with a carving by one of your other favorite artists.
We hope that you find a Six Directions Set that speaks out to you and enhances your home and that you enjoy yours as much as we do ours.
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