CJ Fitchett: Outside Reading 3: Symbols All Around

Symbols All Around, was written by John Fire, or Lame Deer as he is known among Native Americans. It is an article found in my PHIL 308, Philosophy of Religion textbook. The article deals with the symbols found in Native American culture, and the great emphasis placed on these symbols. John Fire gives many examples of these symbols, defining them and showing their importance and origin.

For example, he shows this group of symbols:

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Now to the uninformed this pattern has little meaning, but to a Native American this pattern of symbols represents horse tracks. They stand for the ponies captured from the enemy. He lists many of these examples, and shows how symbolism is important among Native American culture.