Their most prized feathers came from the "golden eagle" (natives consider this eagle as God's messenger) and were only earned though hardship, loyalty, and an impressive show of strength.Īdopting the Traditional Indian Headdress' Symbolism and Meaning The highest honor would be when a warrior earns enough feathers, his friends and family can then bind these into a headdress. Tribes would award the feathers in elaborate ceremonial occasions.
This "feather reward" was only seen as a native boy's initiation to adulthood. Each feather was supposedly "earned by a warrior" each time he did a brave or heroic act as considered by the tribe he belongs to. But these feathers were not merely aesthetic components to the headdress. Thus, people would usually associate "feathers" with Indians (native Americans). It is believed that the native American tribes of the great plains regions created what is considered the traditional Indian headdress historically-chief headdresses with long trailers or straight-up feathers. The golden eagle, a native American Indian symbol-God's messenger. Photo Credit: Dodgerton Skillhause, MorgueFile. Noble characteristics often ascribed to native Americans themselves as well.
#Cultural artifact meaning full#
While we may not have the full knowledge, nor do we claim to have much-like that of a natural born native American-of the chief headdress' symbolic meaning, people from different races (who know of and admire the aesthetic value of this object) have long attributed courage, strength, valor, honor, and leadership to the headdress. The Historical and Cultural Significance of the Native Headdress
They were not worn mainly to beautify (or as a fashion accessory) but it was also believed that they have inherent powers to protect the wearer.
War bonnets were worn primarily for ceremonial occasions. Similarly, the native American chief headdress has been imbued with cultural (almost religious) importance as history would have it. In most cases, a headdress is attached with religious significance or attribution (e.g. Headdresses are usually distinct from hats or helmets as they do not generally serve a functional or protective purpose. they are traditionally worn on ceremonial occasions, festivities, or aesthetically, for fashion. Headdresses have long been part of ancient cultures from around the world- 1.
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