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Tasunka Witka (Crazy horse) was one of the greatest of all Sioux Chiefs. A member of the Thunder Cult, he was invulnerable in battle, painting his body with symbols of the Thunder Beings: Hail and lightening, shown on these pieces as white and blue circles and yellow jagged lines. The color red symbolizes the red-backed hawk tied to his hair before he rode into battle. Blue trade cloth represents his blue leggings made from pony soldiers’ uniforms.
The Chief Crazy Horse Shield is made of split tanned leather over a willow hoop. A leather strap allows the shield 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. The center cluster of feathers again symbolizes the red-backed hawk, and the single feather hanging from the bottom of the shield is a reminder of the single feather worn by Crazy Horse.
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