Indian Symbols chart, Denver, CO, circa 1930

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

Back of Indian Symbols chart, Denver, CO, circa 1930, c. 1930 linen postcard — Back

About this postcard

A central color illustration shows a Native American man seated among pottery, baskets, and other crafts, surrounded by labeled symbols. The chart explains markings used on silver, rugs, pottery, and other handicraft, pairing motifs such as the thunderbird, swastika, arrows, tracks, sun, rain, hogan, and tepee with meanings like good luck, friendship, protection, and plenty. The swastika appears as a good-luck sign, a Native American use of the motif that long predates its later political associations. The chart gathers signs from Plains and Southwestern cultures into one souvenir glossary, a common way of presenting Native American design to tourists in the early twentieth century.

Postcard Details

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PublisherSanborn Souvenir Co.

2363 INDIAN SYMBOLS—Explaining the Markings Used by the Indians on their Handicraft such as Silver, Rugs, Pottery, Etc. THUNDER BIRD SACRED BEARER OF 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 DAYS AND NIGHTS . . . . . . . TIM 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 TRAIL CROSSING --- The designs on Indian work such as baskets, pottery, jewelry, etc. all have meanings, the significance of which has been handed down from generation to generation. They are used in their ceremonials and express many meanings to those who know their significance. POST CARD PLACE STAMP HERE "C. T. ART-COLORTONE," SANBORN SOUVENIR CO., DENVER, COLO.

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Postcard record

Publisher	Sanborn Souvenir Co.
Series	2363
Condition	Excellent
Publisher	Denver, CO
Notes	Linen texture; printed chart with central color illustration; series number 2363 at top left. No postmark. Divided-back linen-era card (C.T. Art-Colortone). Printed back only; no handwriting except a dealer mark "#59 1-" in the lower right. Light surface wear, no significant damage.

Cite this card

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