Northern Plains Style War Shield

Northern Plains style war shield. On this shield, the buffalo and three medicine bundles represent the sacred power and protection granted to a warrior through a vision quest. These symbols are not merely decorative but manifest the direct connection between the owner and the supernatural world, ensuring physical and spiritual defense in battle. The buffalo on the shield is a powerful symbol of a warrior's guardian spirit, including supernatural protection as the buffalo is often the guardian of war. The buffalo was the fundamental source of life for plains tribes, providing food, clothing, shelter and tools. The buffalo also represents self-sacrifice and abundance along with leadership and strength. The three medicine bundles indicate a personal spiritual covenant acquired during a vision quest representing the shield's owner having great responsibility to uphold tradition and cultural heritage of the tribe. The hawk feather cluster ensured the shield's owner with strength, healing and spiritual well-being along with physical attributes as a successful hunter. The deer toes combined with ermine indicate swiftness of correct action both inwardly and outwardly. A version of this shield is on display at the Buffalo Bill Cody Center of the West, Cody, Wyoming. It was common for a warrior to make three or four versions of a vision quest shield to give to family members for the protection the shield represented. Made in the traditional manner using brain tanned buffalo hump. 24"W x 28"H