"Fetish" is a term used to describe a Native American carving which is believed to hold special power. A blessing by a priest or shaman gives a fetish "true" power, but all fetish carvings may become "true" fetishes if they are properly blessed and used.

Although a number of Native American tribes create and use fetishes, the most well known are the Zuni. In Zuni mythology, animals at one time were struck by lightning and shrunken into stone, with instructions to help mankind with the magic held deeply in their hearts. A naturally formed stone that resembles an animal is regarded by the Zuni to have greater power than a fetish that requires a great deal of carving, but the same general beliefs pertain to both.

Most fetishes are representative of animals. The protective or healing animals and the hunting or prey animals are the two major fetish groups. Included in the category of protective and healing animals are Bear, Wolf, Mountain Lion, Badger, Eagle and Mole. The hunting and prey animals include Bobcat, Mountain Lion, Coyote, Wolf, Eagle and Mole. The Zuni believe strongly in six cardinal guardian Fetishes. Each is symbolic of a direction and has a specific color with which it is associated. The guardian Fetish of the North is the Mountain Lion (yellow). The South (red) is the Badger, the West (Blue) is the Bear and the East (white) is the Wolf. Additionally, the Mole is the guardian of the Nadir of Inner Earth (black) and Zepath (the air) is the Eagle (all colored bird forms).

A carver will often "decorate" a fetish with an adornment consisting of turquoise, arrowheads, coral, etc. This gift bundle is a show of affection and appreciation by its maker and/or owner. The more care and respect a fetish receives, the more protection and power it will give to its owner. Fetishes are ceremonially fed with cornmeal often mixed with ground turquoise. They are traditionally kept in a special pot or pouch.

Many  fetishes  are created with a "heartline" representing the path of the breath which leads to the special powers held in the fetish's heart. The power and strength of the fetish is obtained by placing the nostrils of the fetish to one's mouth and taking deep breaths.

Most fetishes are made from semi-precious stones, minerals and shells of natural beauty provided by Mother Nature.