A fabulous bird of great size which Indians believed produced thunder and Lightning. While Plains Indians thought of this being as an actual bird, among tribes of the Northwest it was not a bird but a giant who put on a dress of bird skin with head, wings, and all complete, by means of which it flew through the air in search of its prey.
The Thunderbird's shadow was the storm cloud, the flapping of its wings made the sound of thunder, and the rapid opening and closing of its flashing eyes sent forth the lightning. The heavy rainfall, which usually accompanied thunder and lightening, came from a lake of fresh water the bird carried on its back. Some Plains tribes believed that the thunderstorm resulted from a battle between the Thunderbird and a giant rattlesnake.
The Thunderbird usually had its dwelling on some high mountain or rocky elevation. Within the territory of those tribes who believed in this myth several places were known as Thunder's Nest. Thunder Bay of Lake Huron in lower Michigan obtained its name in this way.
The Thunderbird symbol was often used in Indian design. In Indian picture writing the Thunderbird is shown with zigzag lines running out from its heart to represent the lightning. The Thunderbird of the Cheyenne and Arapaho carried in its talons a number of arrows with which to strike its enemy. These Indians recognized the eagle on United States coins as this same bird and called it baa, the name they gave the Thunderbird.
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[ Bull Roarer ][ Eagle
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