“Circles of Mystic Power”

From prehistoric times until late in the nineteenth century, American Indian Warriors, notably those of the Southwest and Great Plains, carried shields into combat. The Cheyenne Warrior in this sculpture is carrying a shield whose symbols would indicate that the animal helper in his vision was the buffalo. It was believed that everything necessary to life was symbolically contained within the animal. The shield also contains symbols of the four directions, the sun, hail, and lightning. Beyond whatever physical safeguards they afforded, each was sacred. Infused with mystical forces, manifesting profound religious faith, expressing blessing, the holy shields of the Southwest and Great Plains served as nothing less than circles of mystic power. This warrior is a sentinel. He is the eyes of his tribe.