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How were a Crow warrior’s shield decorations connected to spiritual protection?

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Hohokam pottery — Native American art Pottery created by the Hohokam people, made of buff clay and painted with red designs.

For a Crow warrior, the decorations on a rawhide shield were deeply connected to spiritual protection through the embodiment of supernatural power. Rather than serving as mere ornamentation, these embellishments were intended to imbue the warrior with specific qualities, such as invulnerability, supernatural swiftness, and strength.1

These shields were often adorned with symbolic drawings alongside sacred materials, such as eagle feathers or a crane’s head. By incorporating these elements, the warrior sought to call upon unseen forces to aid them in battle. This practice reflects the broader nature of Native American art, where objects were frequently created to control the environment or supernatural beings, and where the "magic" of an object—whether visually evident in its decoration or simply believed to exist—allowed it to function as a source of protection and power for its owner.1