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The Thunder Horse was the representative of the Thunder Beings on earth. When he descended to the mountain top, the noise of his hooves caused thunder, bringing rains. The dominant color if the horse is gray, created by mixing the four directional colors: Black (danger), Red (life), Yellow (knowledge), and White (life hereafter). The jagged line represents lightening; the rainbow, harmony in the heavens. Feathers and stars remind that the Thunder Horse dwells in the sky. The horse, stomping to cause thunder, wore a mask and horns to represent a war spirit
The Thunder 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 shield has turkey feathers, brass bells, tin cones, and a coyote fang.
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