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Talking
about Native Americans, you can't get around them:
Feathers.
Among the many birds held in superstitious and
appreciative regard by the aborigines of North
America, the eagle, by reason of its majestic,
solitary, and mysterious nature, became an
especial object of worship. This is expressed in
the employment of the eagle by the Indian for
religious and aesthetic purposes only. The wing
bones were fashioned into whistles to be carried
by warriors or used in ceremonies, and the talons
formed powerful amulets or fetishes, having
secondary value as ornaments; the feathers were,
however, of the greatest importance. As one of
the prominent totemic animals, the eagle gave its
name to many clans and religious fraternities. It
is probable that nearly every tribe in the United
States recognising clan or gentile organization
had an eagle clan at some period in its history.
An honored warrior would decorate a shield with
eaglefeathers representing great deeds of bravery.
The coloration can be anything from intense black
(melanistic), to brown-black, to cinnamon brown.
The white coloration merges from cream white to
tans, yellow-browns to grays. Yes, and in strange
circumstances, even a light shading of medium
blue. |
| Source:
Dakotablues |
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