"Young at Heart"
Bernard Laiwakete, Zuni - Bear Fetish Carving

What is an Animal Fetish?

A fetish is a rock carving of an animal that captures the spirit and the essence of the animal, not necessarily its exact detailed conformation. A fetish represents relationship and unity. Read more about fetishes.

Indian Bear Symbolism

Bear is considered the most powerful of all of the animals and is one of the most popular subjects of fetish carvers. Bear is a spiritual guide and represents strength and self-knowledge. He also has supernatural powers, great healing powers. Bear is a symbol deliberate action, introspection, soul and insight for the past and the future. The Bear is the guardian of the West and

What is an Orthocera?

Orthoceras were the earliest recognizable animals and were able to swim and crawl. Orthoceras ranged in size from a few inches to over six feet long. When they died, their shells fell to the ocean floor and over the years minerals replaced the animals' organic matter turning them to stone.