Indian Symbols chart, Denver, CO, 1941

Subject: Native American Life
Card type: Linen
Date: c. 1930 (White Border)

Back of Indian Symbols chart, Denver, CO, 1941, Curt Teich & Co.; Sanborn Souvenir Co., CO, USA, c. 1930 linen postcard — Back

About this postcard

A printed souvenir chart titled "Indian Symbols" pairs line drawings of Native American motifs with their assigned meanings. The entries cover designs used on silver, rugs, pottery, baskets, and jewelry, from thunderbird and swastika to bear track, rain clouds, and hogan. A central color illustration shows Native American figures and crafts. The chart's heading explains that the designs were handed down from generation to generation and used in ceremonials. Its mix of tepees, hogans, and Gila monsters suggests a broad commercial survey rather than a single tribal tradition. The swastika appears here as a good-luck sign, a common Native American motif before World War II.

Postcard Details

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PublisherCurt Teich & Co.; Sanborn Souvenir Co.

INDIAN SYMBOLS—EXPLAINING THE MARKINGS USED BY THE INDIANS ON THEIR HANDICRAFT SUCH AS SILVER, RUGS, POTTERY, ETC. THUNDER SACRED BEARER OF BIRD HAPPINESS UNLIMITED SWASTIKA . . . . . . GOOD LUCK ARROW . . . PROTECTION ALL WAYS CROSSED ARROWS FRIENDSHIP ARROWHEAD . . . . . ALERTNESS 4 AGES . . . INFANCY, YOUTH, MIDDLE AND OLD AGE CACTUS . . . SIGN OF THE DESERT GILA MONSTER . . SIGN OF THE DESERT CACTUS FLOWER . . COURTSHIP HORSE . . . . . . . . . . . JOURNEY SADDLE BAGS . . . . . . JOURNEY BIRD . . . CAREFREE — LIGHTHEARTED SNAKE . . . . . . DEFIANCE, WISDOM THUNDERBIRD TRACK BRIGHT PROSPECTS DEER TRACK . . . . . . . PLENTY GAME BEAR TRACK . . . . . . . GOOD OMEN RATTLESNAKE JAW . . . STRENGTH SUN RAYS . . . . . . . . . . CONSTANCY HEADDRESS . . . . CEREMONIAL DANCE BUTTERFLY . . . . . EVERLASTING LIFE MAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . HUMAN LIFE RAIN CLOUDS . . . . GOOD PROSPECTS LIGHTNING AND LIGHTNING ARROW . . . . SWIFTNESS SWASTIKA 4 CORNERS OF THE WITH CIRCLE WORLD—LAKE IN CENTER DAYS AND NIGHTS . . . . . . TIME MORNING STARS . . . . . GUIDANCE SUN SYMBOLS . . . . . . HAPPINESS RUNNING WATER CONSTANT LIFE RAINDROP-RAIN PLENTIFUL CROPS HOGAN . . . . . . . PERMANENT HOME TEPEE . . . . . . . . TEMPORARY HOME SKY BAND . . . LEADING TO HAPPINESS MEDICINE MAN'S EYE . . . . . WISE—WATCHFUL WARDING OFF EVIL SPIRITS PEACE BIG MOUNTAIN . . . . . ABUNDANCE LASSO . . . . . . . . . . . . CAPTIVITY FENCE . . . . . . GUARDING GOOD LUCK ENCLOSURE FOR CEREMONIAL DANCES EAGLE FEATHERS . . . . . . . CHIEF TRAILS CROSSING

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Postcard record

Publisher	Curt Teich & Co.; Sanborn Souvenir Co.
Series	2363 N-15 1B-H477
Condition	Very good
Publisher	Curt Teich & Co.; Sanborn Souvenir Co., Denver, CO
Notes	Linen texture visible; orange background; no white border; printed chart with central color inset. No postmark, address, or handwritten message. Divided-back linen card; dealer pencil price mark "112 / 2.00" at top right. "C. T. ART-COLORTONE," SANBORN SOUVENIR CO., DENVER, COLO. imprint along the divider, with © CURT TEICH & CO.

Cite this card

Indian Symbols chart, Denver, CO, 1941, postcard, c. 1930. PostalPast Collection. https://postalpast.com/postcard/indian-symbols-chart-denver-co-1941. Accessed November 2, 2026.