The Eagle in Native American Culture

Native Americans consider the bald eagle and the golden eagle to be sacred. Because eagles are the highest flying birds, they were seen to be nearer to the Creator.

The United States of America adopted the bald eagle as it’s official symbol because they are unique to North America, majestic, bold, and a symbol of strength and determination. In the U.S. culture, there is no spiritualism associated with the eagle.

Native American Indians are a deeply spiritual people and they communicate their history, thoughts, ideas, and dreams from generation to generation through symbols and signs, such as the eagle symbol.

In Native American culture, bird and animal symbols represent the physical form of a spirit helper and guide.

The Meaning of the Eagle Symbol

Of all the birds, the eagle is the greatest sacred bird among most Native American tribes.
The meaning of the eagle symbol was to signify courage, wisdom, and strength, which is very similar to what he founders of the United States envisioned for their eagle symbol.

Native Americans take this symbolism a step further. The eagle was believed to carry prayers to the Great Spirit and had a special connection with visions. Eagle feathers were highly significant to the Native American Indians and the bones of eagles were used to make the whistles and flutes used at religious ceremonies and rituals.

Some tribes believe the eagle is the only creature to have seen the Creator. He carries the words and messages on his wings from the people to the Great Spirit. That’s why the eagle is revered in sacred ceremonies and dances. Even eagle feathers are never discarded.

Because eagles are considered such a powerful medicine animal, the hunting or killing of eagles is restricted. Eating eagle meat is forbidden in many tribes. In some legends, a person who eats eagle meat is transformed into a monster.

The Importance of Eagle Feathers

The feathers are revered as much as the eagle itself. They symbolize trust, honor, strength, wisdom, power, and freedom. Of all the birds, the eagle is considered the most important.

In many American Indian tribes, feathers are used in the pow-wow, or dances. These magnificent headdresses are made of eagle feathers. Each feather on the headdress represents an honor or incident of bravery.

For some traditional Cherokee tribes, the eagle feather is used for ceremonial, healing, and purification purposes. The practice used for these purposes is called Eagle Medicine. The goal is to achieve a certain mind set through diligence, understanding, awareness, and personal visions.

The eagle feather is also used to adorn the sacred pipe because it is a symbol of the Great Spirit who is above all and from whom all strength and power flows.

When a feather falls to the earth, it is believed to carry all the energy of the bird it came from, and it is perceived as a gift from the sky, the sea, and the trees. Feathers may arrive unexpectedly, but not without a purpose.

United States law recognizes the unique significance of eagle feathers in Native American culture, religion, and tradition. The eagle is a highly protected bird under U.S. law, but special exceptions are made to allow Native Americans to possess, pass down, gift, and acquire eagle feathers within specific conditions.

Eagle feathers are held in high regard and are handled with great care. If an eagle feather is dropped during a dance, a special ceremony is performed before picking it up again, and the owner is careful never to drop it again.

At Southwest Arts and Design, we have a variety of eagle symbols on the products we sell. These are just a sample.