Frog Earrings
Val Malesku (Cree)

"As a creature that lives in two worlds, water and land, the frog is revered for its adaptability...

"As a creature that lives in two worlds, water and land, the frog is revered for its adaptability, knowledge and power to traverse worlds and inhabit diverse realms, both natural and supernatural. Frogs are the primary spirit helper of shamans" (Shearar 2000:48) - Understanding Northwest Coast Art: A Guide to Crests, Beings and Symbols

Bear and Salmon Bracelet
Lloyd Wadhams Jr. (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on ...

Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on their hind legs, bridging the human and non-human realms. Their strength and intelligence are universally respected and they are considered to be helping spirits of warriors. Bear is often depicted with a short snout, round paws, stubby tail and bared teeth.Salmon is fundamental to all coastal peoples, and is a symbol of regeneration, health and life. Many myths tell of people taken to the unders...

Feather Pendant
Walter Davidson (Haida)

Feathers and eagle down are often used in ceremonial contexts and are symbolic of supernatural po...

Feathers and eagle down are often used in ceremonial contexts and are symbolic of supernatural powers. Feathers may also symbolize communication, healing and hospitality. The most common feather in Westcoast Artwork is the Eagle feather, it is meant to be given as a welcoming gift and to honour guests. The style of a feather often incorporates a split u-form.

Feather Earrings with Rose Gold
Walter Davidson (Haida)

Feathers and eagle down are often used in ceremonial contexts and are symbolic of supernatural po...

Feathers and eagle down are often used in ceremonial contexts and are symbolic of supernatural powers. Feathers may also symbolize communication, healing and hospitality. The most common feather in Westcoast Artwork is the Eagle feather, it is meant to be given as a welcoming gift and to honour guests. The style of a feather often incorporates a split u-form.

Feather Earrings
Walter Davidson (Haida)

Feathers and eagle down are often used in ceremonial contexts and are symbolic of supernatural po...

Feathers and eagle down are often used in ceremonial contexts and are symbolic of supernatural powers. Feathers may also symbolize communication, healing and hospitality. The most common feather in Westcoast Artwork is the Eagle feather, it is meant to be given as a welcoming gift and to honour guests. The style of a feather often incorporates a split u-form.

Killer Whale Pin/Pendant
Barry Wilson (Haisla)

Killer Whales are widely considered clan ancestors. Living in human form in undersea villages, ki...

Killer Whales are widely considered clan ancestors. Living in human form in undersea villages, killer whales are often thought to be the reincarnations of great chiefs and are associated with wealth, unity and travel. Some prominent characteristic traits of Killer Whale are a rounded snout, blowhole, a dorsal fin, pectoral fins and a tail.

Killer Whale Pendant
Lloyd Wadhams Jr. (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Killer Whales are widely considered clan ancestors. Living in human form in undersea villages, ki...

Killer Whales are widely considered clan ancestors. Living in human form in undersea villages, killer whales are often thought to be the reincarnations of great chiefs and are associated with wealth, unity and travel. Some prominent characteristic traits of Killer Whale are a rounded snout, blowhole, a dorsal fin, pectoral fins and a tail.

Eagle Bracelet
Lloyd Wadhams Jr. (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Eagle is one of the most important beings in the art and mythology of the Northwest Coast. It is ...

Eagle is one of the most important beings in the art and mythology of the Northwest Coast. It is respected for its intel­ligence and power, as well as its extraordinary vision, in both the literal and figurative senses. Eagles in myth are, likewise, usu­ally noble characters. Eagle is revered as a powerful hunter. Groups of mythical Eagles may gather for co-operative whale hunting expeditions, since, unlike the giant Thunderbird, Eagle is not strong enough to hunt whales alone. Eagle may ofte...

Raven Bracelet
Lloyd Wadhams Jr. (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Raven is central to coastal mythology. As a culture hero, a transformer, and a trickster, his adv...

Raven is central to coastal mythology. As a culture hero, a transformer, and a trickster, his adventures at the beginning of time released the sun and the moon and brought the world into existence. Raven is identified by its straight beak and lack of ears or plumage on the head.

Feather Bracelet
Landon Gunn (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Feather Pendant
Landon Gunn (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Killer Whale Copper Pendant
Russell Smith (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Killer Whales are widely considered clan ancestors. Living in human form in undersea villages, ki...

Killer Whales are widely considered clan ancestors. Living in human form in undersea villages, killer whales are often thought to be the reincarnations of great chiefs and are associated with wealth, unity and travel. Some prominent characteristic traits of Killer Whale are a rounded snout, blowhole, a dorsal fin, pectoral fins and a tail.

Hummingbird Pendant with Amethyst
Hollie Bartlett (Haisla)

Hummingbirds are often described in stories as tiny rainbows. They symbolize love, beauty, wealth...

Hummingbirds are often described in stories as tiny rainbows. They symbolize love, beauty, wealth and prestige. Hummingbirds are known as a symbol of good luck to anyone who sees them. Hummingbird can be distinguished by a long pointed beak and is often shown alongside floral elements.

Wolf Pendant
Kelly Robinson (Nuu-chah-nulth)

The Wolf is respected for its strength, agility, intelligence, and capacity for devotion. Wolf is...

The Wolf is respected for its strength, agility, intelligence, and capacity for devotion. Wolf is sometimes an agent of transformation and is a popular figure in crest, story, and shamanic art. Wolf is usually portrayed with a long snout, bushy tail, and prominent paws.

Eagle Pendant
Yul Baker (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Eagle is one of the most important beings in the art and mythology of the Northwest Coast. It is ...

Eagle is one of the most important beings in the art and mythology of the Northwest Coast. It is respected for its intel­ligence and power, as well as its extraordinary vision, in both the literal and figurative senses. Eagles in myth are, likewise, usu­ally noble characters. Eagle is revered as a powerful hunter. Groups of mythical Eagles may gather for co-operative whale hunting expeditions, since, unlike the giant Thunderbird, Eagle is not strong enough to hunt whales alone. Eagle may ofte...

Raven Releasing the Moon Pendant
Yul Baker (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Raven is central to coastal mythology. As a culture hero, a transformer, and a trickster, his adv...

Raven is central to coastal mythology. As a culture hero, a transformer, and a trickster, his adventures at the beginning of time released the sun and the moon and brought the world into existence. Raven is identified by its straight beak and lack of ears or plumage on the head.Moon is associated with peace and transformation and is also widely regarded as a protector and guardian spirit. In some stories the Moon originated as chip of the Sun, which Raven broke into pieces. Moon is often depi...