The Frog Indigenous Symbol | Spirits of the West Coast – Spirits of the West Coast Art Gallery Inc

The Native Symbol the Frog symbolizes wealth and abundance. When a Frog is portrayed in art with his tongue touching another creature, it represents the sharing of knowledge and power. Many native cultures believe that Frogs prevent loss, which is why small Frog coins are put in purses to prevent money loss. The Haida also carved Frogs on their house posts in the belief that the Frogs would prevent the posts from falling down.

Repoussé Frog Bracelet by Haida artist Derek White

Frog Symbol and First Nations

In one of the Haida Legends it is told that until recently, no Frogs lived in Haida Gwaii, home of the Haida people. A Haida story tells of a Frog Chief who ran into a black bear while travelling along the Island. The black bear was amused by the hopping Frog Chief and tried to step on it, just for fun. The little Frog escaped by hopping between the bear’s legs. The Frog Chief ran back to his village telling all the other Frogs of his terrifying experience. Fearing this huge creature would find their village; the Frogs packed their belongings and left the island for good, hoping they’d never meet another bear.

Another Frog legend says a village was starving because no one could catch any fish or game, so a warrior went out to try to find some food. The warrior met a bird who instructed him to follow, so he could help him. The bird brought him to a Frog, who let the warrior wear his skin. With the Frogskin, the warrior hunted enough food for the whole village but, as time passed, the warrior turned into a Frog, and he went to sea. There he lived until his last days and caught fish and other seafood for his people.

Native Art - The Frog Symbol

Spirits of the West Coast Native Art Gallery sells Frog Symbol prints, Native American Jewelry, Frog Native carvings, Frog ceremonial masks, gold and silver bracelets and bentwood boxes, all inspired by the Frog Symbol.

Contributions

If you have any further information or stories with or about this Native American Symbol or totem and you would like to share them with our readers, please feel free to email them to us. If they are appropriate we will add them to this page. Thank you!