I acquired the skulls for “Horse Head Nebula” and “Soul Tattoo” at the same time. The former was an old horse and the latter a young one that had been put down. I wondered about the circumstances of their deaths, and the more I held the young one’s skull, the more I saw this handsome dappled gray beauty. So I painted him as tribute to his life and I linked the two together with rings that symbolize the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. To the natives, painting the ring around a horse’s eye allowed it to see better when they took him out for war or hunting. So in that way, the horse has allowed me to see him more clearly.
He also wears a turkey flight feather because:
“Turkeys have been a symbol of thanksgiving and abundance long before the Piligrim’s ”first meal” in 1621 with the Native Americans. Native American Indians view the turkey as a both a symbol of abundance and fertility. The turkey was the guest of honor (sacrificial, that is) in various fertility and gratitude ceremonies.
The Creek tribes still practice the turkey dance during its annual fire festivals. The feathers of turkeys are also used in ritual. Male turkeys were honored for it’s beauty and essence of cocky pride. Turkeys (like the peacock) give clear signs of agitation prior to poor weather conditions This is often seen by primitive cultures as a symbol of foretelling.
The turkey is also a symbol for male virility and pride. This isn’t surprising when we observe male turkeys in the wild. They are quite noble looking as the strut & fan their impressive plumage for all to see. When the turkey visits us it is a sign that we must be mindful of the blessings bestowed upon us each day. Further, it is a message to express our strength and brilliance – it’s time to show our own plumage and reveal true selves.
Quick summary of symbolic meanings of the turkey:
Pride
Abundance
Generosity
Awareness
Virility
Fertility
Sacrifice
Turkeys are at their peak of power in the autumn months. As fall season animals, turkeys are also symbolic of:
Harvest
New beginnings
Cycles
Preparation
Hopi used turkey feathers in various symbolic placements and rituals. The number of Turkey feathers used is four. The Turkey is a symbol of the wildness of the Earth, and the number four represents the four winds. Together, this is a symbolic message that the Earth is a wildnerness that man can never control.”
(Answer taken from Rachel. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080320042649AAannxI )
