Coyote Zuni Fetish Meaning
What is the Coyote Zuni Fetish Meaning? The Coyote is the Hunter God of the West. The Coyote represents laughter, humor and the ability to learn from ones own foolishness. He is a master trickster and characterized by arrogance and a sense of self-importance. These characteristics can teach us how our impulsive choices and self-centeredness fail us.
Coyote Zuni Fetish MeaningIn Zuni culture a fetish represents the animal spirit thought to reside in the stone. The Coyote may be used when hunting rabbit. He is usually carved in the howling position. There is an ancient story that Mountain Sheep was coyote's designated prey. However Coyote rushed crazily about yelping and barking until Mountain Lion commanded him to be quiet. Coyote failed to catch Mountain Sheep set free especially for him and was forced to give up his claim to Mountain Lion who then caught Mountain Sheep instead. Coyote was relegated to scavenging.
Prey gods of the hunt are placed in a buckskin bag and carried by the hunter over his heart. The fetish aids in the chase and represents "the roar of the animal" and is also fed on the blood of the slain prey. It is believed that the hearts of the great animals of prey are infused with a spirit of magic over the hearts of the animals they prey upon. The prey gods are given high rank among the gods. Because of this, their fetishes are greatly esteemed as mediators between people and the animals they represent.