Ornament, in the Native American sense of the word, usually refers to items of personal adornment for daily use, ceremonies or dancing. Jewelery is ornament.
10 strand fetish necklace by Navajo Corrine Ramirez
In terms of Native American Art, a hanging ornament is another way to honor spirits and effigies and to bless places.
Door Blessing
- The Medicine Stick brings positive energy.
- The red, yellow, white and black ribbons represent the Four Directions from which all strength comes.
- The feather represents Freedom.
- Thoughts, Prayers, and Choices are represented by the bead circle which shows us that our thoughts return to us again and again.
- Turquoise protects us and keeps us Positive in thought.
- The rabbit fur is to help us keep a warm heart.
- The fur reminds us that Mother Earth is the Giver of Life and we should walk softly.
- The Sage Medicine Stick exists that we might all live in Love and Oneness.
Many ornaments honor Mother Earth – using symbols from the plant and animal world.
Spirit Bear by Lakota Alan Monroe
Bear is considered the most powerful of all of the animals and is one of the most popular subjects of fetish carvers. Bear is a spiritual guide and represents strength and self-knowledge. He has supernatural powers, great healing powers. Bear is a symbol deliberate action, introspection, soul and insight for the past and the future. The Bear is the guardian of the West an is one of the animals of the Six Directions. Alan Monroe’s spirit animals are made from soft deer leather and stuffed with real buffalo fur, hand stitched and hand painted, adorned with high quality glass crow beads, brass beads and brass cones. The spirit animals can be used as a personal fetish, Christmas ornament, pendant or to hang from the mirror of your car or truck.
Other ornaments are symbols such as the medicine wheel, shields and dreamcatchers.
Sacred Catlinite (Pipestone) Medicine Wheel by Lakota Alan Monroe
These stone medicine wheels are made of solid sacred catlinite (pipestone) that was mined from Alan Monroe’s mine at the national monument and shrine located in Pipestone Minnesota.
Smoky Quartz Healing Dreamcatcher by Apache Cynthia Whitehawk
DREAMCATCHERS are known to the Indigenous peoples of the Americas to filter and destroy bad dreams, thoughts or negative influences, allowing the good, positive and enlightening influences and strong healing to take place. Totems, fetishes, ritual and ceremonial items significant to the owner are added for additional healing energies. Read more about dreamcatchers…
SPIDER WOMAN – She is the creator and weaver of life, the great teacher, protector and Mother of all creation. She manifests as Sacred Guardian, overseeing the welfare of all those in need. In her aspect as Creator and Mother, Spider Woman affirms that women are essential and central to the life process. She reminds us that people of all races were created from the same source, with equal rights and responsibilities.
Sunface Kachina Shield by Apache Cynthia Whitehawk
SUNFACE KACHINA is a leader of ceremonies and represents Bringer of Warmth, shelter for the old, a bright future, and playfulness of the young. Sunface Kachina is essential to all life and growth, in nature as well as Spiritual.
Animal Spirit Gourd Ornaments by Apache Cynthia Whitehawk
MORNING STAR – Infinite possibilities, Hope, Renewal, sign for Venus, also the Goddess. Honored as a sign of courage and purity of Spirit. The Ghost Dance Religion saw it as a symbol of the coming renewal of tradition, re-birth of the ancient ways of living with Mother Earth.
“Each gourd (gourd is another of Mother Nature’s wood items) is grown and crafted with respect and ceremony. PYROGRAPHY is used – carving into the surface with fire. Followed by using archival quality dyes, paints & sealer to accent the design, letting the beauty of the natural gourd shine through.” – Cynthia Whitehawk
Having things of beauty and meaning around you where you can see them often can have a profound effect on your day !
Native American Jewelry Tips 
This article gives me the idea of using attractive earrings as tree ornaments. Thank you for the inspiration!
Kathleen
Well howdy stranger !
You know, I almost put earrings as part of the post because if they aren’t hanging ornaments, what is??!!
And if you are like us, our “tree” is small so earrings would be perfect.
Brilliant !
Cheers