Big Medicine Man, North American Chief, from the Savage and Semi-Barbarous Chiefs and Rulers series (N189) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1888

This small card from Wm. S. Kimball & Co. depicts a ‘Big Medicine Man,’ adorned with potent symbols. The feathers are prominent, worn as emblems of spiritual power. The feathered headdress connects him to the divine, reminiscent of wings, a motif we find echoed in ancient Greek depictions of Hermes, a messenger of the gods. But here, the symbol is not merely aesthetic; it is deeply functional. In many cultures, feathers represent a connection to ancestral spirits, a bridge between the earthly and spiritual realms. Look at how the layering of necklaces and the large medallion seem to center on the heart, mirroring an iconographic emphasis on love and sacrifice, as seen in the devotional images of Christian saints. It is a fascinating, if reductive, example of how symbols transcend time and space, morphing through cultural lenses while still resonating with primal human emotions and spiritual aspirations.