Mohave Chief, a Warrior, and His Wife 1855 - 1869

George Catlin rendered this image of a Mohave Chief, a warrior, and his wife using oil on canvas. The feathers worn by these figures serve as potent symbols of status and spiritual connection within their culture. Consider how feathers, universally linked to birds and the heavens, have been used throughout history. Ancient Egyptians associated feathers with Ma'at, the goddess of truth and justice, often depicted with a feather on her head. In Christianity, archangels are commonly shown with feathered wings, denoting their divine nature and role as messengers between God and humanity. Here, in the context of the Mohave people, feathers represent power, freedom, and a link to the spiritual realm. Like the winged figures of antiquity, they lift the wearers closer to the skies, both literally and metaphorically, embodying the hopes and aspirations of the tribe. This cyclical transformation of meaning highlights our collective subconscious need to connect with something greater than ourselves, a symbol that flies through different cultures.