
Plains Tribes by George Catlin
More than 50% of state names are based on Native American words. Twenty-seven state names have Indian meanings including Utah, named for the Ute tribe; Kentucky, which means planted field in the Iroquois language; Kansas, named for the Kanza (Kaw) tribe; and dozens more. – from our Native American Facts & Trivia
Meerkat
Community, precise vision, good boundaries, lively, courageous, intuition, heart energy.
Mole
Sensitivity, guidance, searching, extended senses, underworld, hidden treasure, digger.
Mongoose
Good boundaries, good defense, courage, cleansing, heart-forward, rebellious, impulsive, authentic.
Monkey
Ability to change the environment, health, success, light and dark, communication, swiftness, energy.
Moose
Headstrong, longevity, steadfastness, wisdom, self-esteem, primal feminine energy, crown chakra.
Mouse
Innocence, scrutiny, order, organizer, eye for details, grounded, super-aware, temerity.
Octopus
Intelligence, camouflage, nocturnal.
Opossum
Smart, clever, sensible, grounded, group-minded, proper use of deception, strategic, surprising.
Ostrich
Grounded, practical, avoidant, spiritual truth, understands denial, truth and justice.
Otter
Playful, friendly, dynamic, joy, helpfulness, sharing, love of young, sensibility without suspicion.
Owl
Wisdom, deception, intuition, insight, messenger, mystery, freedom, secrets, stealth, vision.
Ox
Sacrifice, chastity, faith, humble, self-denial, enduring, strong, magical.
Panther
Protection, hidden emotions, introspection, caution, careful decisions, multi-dimensional, dark and light.
Parrot
Communication, beauty, guide for wisdom, mockery, language, prophecy, verbosity, promise.
Peacock
Immortality, dignity, self-confidence, self-esteem, knowledge, refinement, beauty, sexuality, pride.
Pelican
Resilient, unselfish, rising above, friendliness, responsible, safety, camaraderie, bounty.
Penguin
Self-discipline, order, purpose, community-minded, grace, self-confidence, spiritual.
Porcupine
Innocence, companionship, trust, curious, imagination, good-natured, non-interference.
Prairie Dog
Swiftness, industrious, constructive, preparedness, common goals, retreat, family, digger.
Puma
Companion on journeys to other worlds, grace, silent power
Native Americans often served as guides in the exploration of America. Many of their trails became emigrant roads, which were later followed by the railroads. – from our Native American Facts & Trivia
Quail
Group-work, team play, creator of harmony and group tolerance, protectiveness (especially toward children)
Rabbit
Fertility, artistic, in motion, hyper vigilant, joyful, lives by own wits, steps through fear.
Raccoon
Curiosity, disguise, explorer, secret, night vision, cleanliness, dexterity, seeker.
Ram
Stoic, sensitive, persevering, curious, imaginative, new beginnings, change, life force.
Rat
Fertility, stealth, scavenging, intelligence, enjoys luxury, intelligent, wealth, success, drive.
Raven
Magical, introspective, self-realized, courageous, transformational, messenger, psychic, divination.
Rhinoceros
Wisdom, solitary, insightful, solid, good judgment, paradox, stamina, freedom, longevity.
Roadrunner
Mental agility, speed, opportunistic, multi-tasking, energy, busy, accomplishment.
Rooster
Persistence, honesty, strength, flamboyant, upward reaching, eager, cocky, watchful.
Salmon
Proud, intense, confident, wisdom, inspiration, can swim upstream, rebirth, determined, spiritual desire.
Scorpion
Transforming, strong, inspiring, chaotic, passionate, altered perception, death and rebirth, seduction.
Seagull
Versatility, loud, easy-going nature, creativity, laziness, resourceful, opportunistic, freedom.
Seahorse
Confidence and grace
Seal
Love, longing, dilemma, active imagination, creativity, protection during change, dreamer, good luck.
Shark
Prowess, perpetual motion, hunter, survival, warning signs, workaholic, savior, guardian, superiority.
Skunk
Reputation, presence, strength, demands respect, sensual, steady, pacifism, taking your time.
Snail
Protective, aware, solitary, tender nature, androgyny, healing, sensitivity, time and cycles.
Snake
Impulsive, primal energy, shrewdness, rebirth, transformation, initiation, and wisdom.
Spider
Balance, wisdom, creativity, communication, networker, cyclical, crafty, fate, protection.
Squirrel
Planner, gatherer, preparedness, awareness, sociable, playful, energy, prudence, resourceful.
Stag
Lord of the forest, masculine power of regeneration, signs.
Swan
Grace, balance and innocence, soul, love, beauty, elegance, transformation, dreams.
There are approximately 296 spoken (or formerly spoken) indigenous languages north of Mexico. Hundreds of other have entirely ceased to exist. – from our Native American Facts & Trivia
Tiger
Strength, valor, power, energy, devotion, tactful, royal, illuminated, unpredictable.
Toad
Inner strength, luck, self-examination.
Turkey
Generosity, life-giver, sharer, abundance, blessings, pride, virility, sacrifice.
Turtle
Nurturer, shy, protecting, patience, strength, innocence, endurance, longevity.
Unicorn
Purity, innocence, dreamer, personal power, gentle, spiritual vision, other realms, faith, healing.
Weasel
Strength, energy, ingenuity, stealth, wild, ferocious, aggressive, commanding.
Whale
Wisdom, provider, intelligence, kindness, deeper awareness, nurturing, navigator, communication.
Wolf
Loyalty, perseverance, success, intuition, spirit, appetite for freedom, can be a loner.
Woodpecker
Sensitive, protective, devotion, prophecy, progress, determination, balance, communication.
Zebra
Clarity, motion, individuality, balance, illusion, instinct, free, wild, communal, playful, social.
Compiled and edited by Kathy Weiser/Legends of America, with expanded meanings and additions, Kevin Kaiser. updated February 2020.
Also See:
Legends, Myths & Tales of Native Americans
Native American Symbols, Pictographs & Petroglyphs
Sources:
Hodge, Frederick Webb; Handbook of American Indians North of Mexico; Smithsonian Institution; 1910
Manataka American Indian Council
Mystic Familiar
Shaman Links
the cow I think love my home.
i would add a roach
no lady bug? guess it would just mean good luck tho n stuff lol
I think a leopard would be strength, or courage, or something. I agree with the ladybug thing.
I think there should be something else like a Pegasus