Paint was used as an element in Spiritual Healing Mental Preparation: Medicine Men often chose certain markings for warriors and that powerful magic was passed on during the application of the war paint helping the warrior to believe himself invincible.Visual Messages: Victory, Mourning etc were indicated by the application of face and body paint.Ceremonies, Dances and Rituals: Specific colors and patterns were applied.Camouflage - Paint was used as camouflage for both hunting and warfare enabling the wearer to blend into the environment and exercise the element of surprise.Marks of Distinction and Honor: War Paint, Face and Body paint for certain tribes would indicate achievements and success.War paint - war paint to intimidate their enemies when going into battle or during warfare - this where the term 'War Paint' was originally derived.Native American Indians made use of Face Painting or Body Paint for various reasons: Reasons for War Paint, Body Paint or Face Painting The colors Purple and Brown were not used as face or war paintįor additional facts and info about colors see the article on Color Meanings Symbolism.Green is associated with harmony and is a great healing power and believed to improve vision Yellow also indicated that the wearer was heroic, had led a good life and was willing to fight to the death. Yellow Color Symbolizes the color of death.Blue Color Symbolizes wisdom, confidence.White was also the color of peace when it was used as face paint. Black was also used to symbolize victory and might be applied before returning home to the camp It might also indicated that the wearer was a powerful warrior who had proved himself in battle. Black was perceived as a 'living' color and worn on the face to prepare for war.Red Color Symbolizes war, blood, strength, energy, power and success in war paint but might also symbolise happiness and beauty in face paint.

There were so many tribes of Native American Indians it is only possible to generalise the most common meanings of the colors and patterns of War Paint, Body Paint or Face Paint. War Paint - Meaning of colors of War Paint, Body Paint or Face Painting

For more, meanings, facts and info see Native American Symbols. The Great Plains Indians culture abounds with many more examples of this usage of symbols and their different meanings. The zig-zag line meaning across the forehead symbolizes lightning which was believed to add power and speed to the warrior. The Hand Symbol indicates that the warrior has been successful in hand-to-hand combat. The following types of symbols can be see in the above picture depicting the War Paint on the Iowa warrior. Meanings of War Paint shown on the Picture A ceremonial marshal who organised Pow-wows and large council meetings had a red parallel stripe. A marshal of an Indian camp had a black stripe painted on the right cheek from the corner of the eye to the jaw line.

The marshall of a war party would have war paint depicting two black stripes on the right cheek. The war paint and insignia of an Akicita of the Lakota Sioux had specific meanings as to their roles and responsibilities. The American Indian Akicita were the Warriors and Elders who had considerable powers in policing and organizing some North American tribes. The Warrior Culture - War Paint of the Akicita Every mark on the face and body of an American Native Indian had meaning. The clothes, tepees and all of his belongings was decorated with the symbolism of his achievements and acts of heroism or his various spirit guides. The achievements of warriors were often reflected in the symbolic images of their war paint. Experienced warriors were held in the highest esteem. Their beliefs were handed down from one generation to another. In their religion they blended rituals by promoting and preserving their hunting and the survival of it's people with showing respect to the spirit. Their religion was dominated by rituals and belief in a spiritual connection with nature. Native American Indians had a highly complex warrior culture, especially those who lived on the Great Plains.

Color war face paint ideas