Indigenous artwork on the Pacific Northwest Coast often incorporates figures and animals that are related to crest symbols. Crests have been passed down through families and have varying meanings depending on the context and association with a nation, clan, or family. The figures depicted in contemporary Northwest Coast Indigenous artwork also have varying meanings but there are some common characteristics from a range of sources, including oral histories and artist descriptions.
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.
