The meaning of color?

[Gypsy Bladesmith]

My daughter was tasked to come up with a shield or avatar for a guy. He wants to combine American Indian and African symbol and lore with a Christian influence. She has searched some colors and found that they sometimes have different meanings to different tribes????

Gypsy

[Celtaur]

I'm not sure what the various colors could mean to native tribes. There are so many tribes as well that I wonder if there are variations of meaning. You may find information on the chakra's useful for their color correspondence and meaning.

I think you may have to choose a specific tribe to get started and research that tribe to understand their use of color, and the significance. I think that an appreciation of the colors symbolism would require an in depth approach to understanding a tribes ways because a list of word meanings may leave out a lot of important detail and understanding of where that symbolism comes from.

[Briony Haldane]

I believe that you will discover that all the North American Indians use the Red, Yellow, White and Black for the Medicine Circle. Your daughter may want to use two different sets of colours on the shield, one for the North American influence and one for the African correspondence.

The North American Indian colours fit in with the children's hymn Jesus Loves the Little Children, which specifically refers to "Red and Yellow, Black and White, They are precious in His sight".

[Gypsy Bladesmith]

Thanks Guys. She now has a good idea of what she needs to do. I post a pict when she gets it done..

Gypsy

[Briony Haldane]

Gypsy, I would love to see a pic of the finished work. It's wonderful that your daughter can use her talent and understanding to support her friend in this way.