Zuni frog Fetish Carving

What is a 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. Although carved from many types of rock, fishrock is traditional. Read more about fetishes.

AUGITE comes from from the Greek word auge, meaning "shine" or "luster. However, only some augites look shiny, most specimans have a dull appearance. Augite varies from translucent to opaque and its color includes combinations of black, green, brown, purple with streaks and spots of greenish gray and light to dark brown. Augite is common throughout the world including the American Southwest. It is said to bring out your intuition, tenderness, gentleness and love; help you exercise self-control and understand your chosen destiny; stimulate creativity and success. Read about stones.

Frogs and turtles are some of the oldest and most commonly carved Zuni fetishes. Frogs are considered a major rain-bringing fetish so very important to the Zuni who live in an arid portion of the southwest US. Frogs also represent abundance and fertility. It is said that women become pregnant when a frog fetish is kept next to the bed - which can be a good thing or a surprise! So be forewarned!