Meaning of the Gila Monster Symbol
Native American Indians were a deeply spiritual people and they communicated their history, thoughts, ideas and dreams from generation to generation through Symbols and Signs such as the Gila Monster symbol which is significant to the Southwest Native Americans. Native American symbols are geometric portrayals of celestial bodies, natural phenomena and animal designs. Native American bird and animal symbols and totems are believed to represent the physical form of a spirit helper and guide. The Gila monster (pronounced hee-la) is a large lizard and one of only two truly venomous lizards in the world, the other being the closely related Mexican beaded lizard. The Gila monster is believed to be able to go a year or more without food or water and spend up to spend 95% of their time underground. For additional information please refer to the Meanings of Animal Symbols.
Picture of a Gila Monster
Meaning of the Gila Monster Symbol
The meaning of the Gila Monster symbol was to signify preservation and survival and used as a sign of the desert. The Gila monster had different meanings according to tribal traditions. The Apache tribe believed that its breath could kill a man and the Pima believed that it possessed a spiritual power that could cause sickness but the Seri and the Yaqui tribes believed that the hide of the Gila monster had healing properties. Venom from the Gila Monster was used to poison darts and arrows to deadly effect - refer to Bows and Arrows - Poisoned Arrows.
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Native American Indian Picture drawing (pictogram) showing a Gila Monster
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The Gila Monster Symbol is a Pictogram
The Gila Monster symbol is in a fact a pictogram. A pictogram, also called a pictograph, conveys a story and meaning through pictures that signify and resemble the shapes of physical objects or people. An Ideagram is another form of pictogram which conveys complex ideas, feelings and emotions. A pictogram, such as the one recognised as a Gila Monster symbol, is a therefore a form of writing which uses representational, pictorial drawings to tell a story.
The Gila Monster Symbol - Meaning
There were so many tribes of Native American Indians it is only possible to generalise the most common meaning of the Gila Monster symbol or pattern. Native Indian symbols are still used as Tattoos and were used for a variety of reasons and depicted on numerous objects such as tepees, totem poles, musical instruments, clothes and War Paint. Indian Tribes also used their own Colors for Symbols and designs depending on the natural resources available to make Native American paint.
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Gila Monster Symbol and Pictogram
The religion of Native Americans was dominated by rituals and belief in a spiritual connection with nature and these beliefs were reflected in the various symbols and pictograms they used such as the Gila Monster symbol. Native Indian symbols are still used as Tattoos and were used for a variety of reasons and depicted on numerous objects such as tepees, totem poles, musical instruments, clothes and War Paint. Indian Tribes also used their own colors for symbols, refer to Color Meanings & Symbolism, and designs depending on the natural resources available to make Native American paint. His belongings was decorated with art and included symbols depicting his achievements, acts of heroism, his various spirit guides or the most important events in his life and included the Gila Monster symbol or pictogram. Every symbol used by an American Native Indian had meaning which can be accessed from Symbols and Meanings.
The Gila Monster Symbol
Gila Monster
- The Gila Monster symbol of Native Americans
- Meaning, symbolism and interpretation of the Gila Monster symbol
- Interesting facts and info for kids and schools
- Pictures, meanings, patterns and designs of symbols
- Native American Gila Monster symbol meaning
Pictures and Videos of Native Americans
Gila Monster. Discover the vast selection of pictures which relate to the History of Native Americans and illustrate many symbols used by American Indians. The pictures show the clothing, war paint, weapons and decorations of various Native Indian tribes that can be used as a really useful educational history resource for kids and children of all ages. We have included pictures and videos to accompany the main topic of this section - Gila Monster. The videos enable fast access to the images, paintings and pictures together with information and many historical facts. All of the articles and pages can be accessed via the Native Indian Tribes Index - a great educational resource for kids.
