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The Bear was respected for great physical strength and spiritual power, both as a fearsome fighter and as a wise healer. The earth pigments used on this piece are very strong medicine colors. Red - often associated with bear medicine - is the color of long life and the good road to walk in life. Black represents intense spiritual devotion and also signified victory. White is the color of the spirit world, which both calls to the influence of ancestors and looks forward to one’s own time to honorably cross over to a new life after this one.
By putting the bear on his shield, the warrior received the bear’s attributes in battle. This design shows a bear at the entrance of a cave protecting his family from the attack of his enemy.
This shield is made of split tanned leather over a willow hoop. A leather strap allows it to be flung over the shoulder or around the neck - as often worn by warriors on horseback - and an arm hold permits it to be carried, as in battle or during a dance.
In the middle of his shield the warrior placed his personal medicine bundle. This one contains buffalo hair, sage, sweetgrass, and a buffalo tooth. A piece of deer antler and glass trade beads hang from the bundle. The trade cloth and imitation eagle feathers representing coups, or battle honors, were arranged to permit the warrior to fire his bow effectively without losing the shield’s protective power.
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