Panther Symbol

The Panther 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 Panther symbol. The origin of the Panther symbol derives from the ancient Mississippian culture of the Mound Builders of North America and were major elements in the Southeastern Ceremonial Complex of American prehistory (S.E.C.C.). Some Indian tribes still retain some elements of the Mississippi culture. Their sacred rites, myths and symbols and are presumed to descend from the Mississippians.

The Meaning of the Panther Symbol
The Panther symbol featured strongly in the Mississippian culture.  The Panther was believed to be a supernatural deity who resided in the Underworld with the spirits associated with death and destruction. The Panther is seen as a malevolent being or monster who fights then devours his enemies and was strongly associated with warfare. These creatures, or monsters, were referred to as "water panthers".  As monsters of the Underworld they were locked in a never-ending war with the supernatural creatures of the sky (the Upperworld). Their battles were responsible for earthquakes, tornadoes and thunderstorms, they were Masters of the Rain which is why they are called "water panthers". The panther symbol picture above shows these creatures with horns. Antlers and horns signified spiritual power, especially when applied to animals that did not ordinarily have them such as Birds, Panthers and Snakes (Serpents). The panther symbol also displays the creatures wearing the Eye Surround Motif which was a sign that they resided in the Under World. The panther symbol shows four panthers revolving around a central cross in a circle motif. The Cross in Circle Motif has solar connotations with the circle (the Upperworld) and the cross is believed to symbolize the sacred fire that exists in the Middle World (Earth). This could be interpreted as the water panthers circling the beings of Earth and the Upperworld waiting to attack. The Panther symbol also depicts this 'water monster' with the body parts of other animals. The tail is colored to reflect snake or serpent like similarities. The feet have the claws of a bird of prey. For additional information refer to Mythical Creatures. 

The Meaning of the Panther Symbol
The Underwater panther is a powerful supernatural creature in the mythological traditions of some Native American tribes including the Algonquians, Ojibwe and the Potawatomi. The Ojibwe traditionally held them to be masters of all water creatures, including serpents. In these cultures the underwater panther is in opposition to the Thunderbird.

Underwater Panther artifact

The Panther Symbol - Mississippian culture
The most ancient Native American Indian symbols, like the Panther symbol, came from the Mississippian culture which was established in 1000AD and continued to 1550AD onward. The Mississippian Native Americans were the last of the mound-building cultures of North America in the Midwestern, Eastern, and Southeastern United States. The Mississippian culture was based on warfare, which was represented by an array of emblems, motifs and symbols. The Mississippian culture warrior icons like the Panther symbol provides interesting history and ideas for tattoos that include cosmic imagery depicting animals, humans and mythical beasts. The Mississippian Native Americans practiced body painting, tattooing and piercing.

Native American Indians - Panther Symbol
Native American Indians of the Mississippian culture were sun worshipers and had a highly complex warfare culture. Their symbols, such as the Panther symbol, reflect the warfare culture and the religious beliefs and cosmologies of the different historic tribes who existed at the time of the first European contact.

The Mississippians believed that the universe consisted of three parts with good and bad spiritual forces. These three worlds were linked together and their connection was usually portrayed as a cedar tree or a striped pole. The Underworld was inhabited by spirit snakes, the Upper world was inhabited by spirit birds and the people of the earth who were ruled by these powerful spirits like the Panther.

Items displaying symbols, like the Panther symbol, from the Mississippian culture have been found in burial sites that contained war axes, knives and other weapons. This type of symbol was embossed in valuable materials such as rare shells, copper and lead and depicted on pottery and stone tools and weapons.

Panther Symbol

Panther

• The Panther symbol of Native Americans
• Meaning, symbolism and interpretation of the Panther symbol
• Interesting facts and info for kids and schools
• Pictures, meanings, patterns and designs of symbols
• Native American Panther symbol meaning

Pictures and Videos of Native Americans

Panther. 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 - Panther. 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 Horned educational resource for kids.