Birds in Pueblo Art

Andrew Thomas (Diné) presents several examples of how birds are depicted in Pueblo art and explains some of the symbolism behind the artwork.

Birds hold an important place in Pueblo culture as messengers due to their ability to move between the earth and the sky. They are also viewed as symbols of concepts such as family and wisdom. From eagles to hummingbirds, different types of birds can be seen in Pueblo art, granting the pieces special significance and recognizing the importance of birds in the natural world.

Pueblo artists depict and honor birds in many ways through art forms such as jewelry and pottery. Sometimes birds’ full bodies are shown in carvings or paintings, but artists also choose to represent birds and their symbolism through feathers. Feathers are a part of Pueblo tradition going back thousands of years. They are representative of strength, fertility, abundance, and beauty. 

In Pueblo art, birds are not only represented through visual mediums. Flutes are used to evoke the sounds of birds as part of music and storytelling traditions in Pueblo communities. Together, all of these different art forms express the significance of birds in Pueblo culture.