White Eagle

This impressive white eagle was carved by Herbert Halate from gleaming white marble.  It has inlaid turquoise eyes and a long, narrow turquoise offering bundle.  The feet and feathers are detailed and "HHalate" and " Zuni" are engraved in the bottom.  More about eagles below.

Size: 2" H x 6" L x 1.125" W

Raptors have many meanings in Native America.  The eagle is the most sacred since it sees the furthest and flies the highest.  It is considered as a messenger to take our prayers to the Creator.  In Zuni Pueblo, eagles are also the guardian of the sky world.  Hawks have a similar meaning, but not as powerful as the eagle.  For some Indigenous people, hawks are the smaller siblings of eagles.

Animals which are rarely born white oftentimes have special spiritual significance and are considered to be special messages from the spirit world.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.