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[[File:Underwater panther NMAI GGH.jpg|thumb|260px|Underwater Panther, [[National Museum of the American Indian]] [[George Gustav Heye Center]]]]
[[File:Underwater panther NMAI GGH.jpg|thumb|260px|Underwater Panther, [[National Museum of the American Indian]] [[George Gustav Heye Center]]]]
'''Underwater panthers''' were powerful creatures in the mythological traditions of some Native American tribes, particularly tribes of the [[Great Lakes]] region.<ref name=Kohl>Kohl</ref> In [[Anishinaabe language|Ojibwe]], the creature is sometimes called '''Mishibizhiw''' ("Mishipizhiw", "Mishipizheu", "Mishupishu", "Mishepishu"), which translates as "Great Lynx,"<ref>[http://www.freelang.net/dictionary/ojibwe.html Freelang Ojibwe Dictionary]</ref> or '''Gichi-anami'e-bizhiw''' ("Gitche-anahmi-bezheu"), which translates as "the fabulous night panther."<ref name=Kohl /><ref>"The fabulous night panther" is a translation from [[Anishinaabe language|Ojibwe]] into [[French language|French]] to [[German language|German]], which then was translated into English. The direct translation would be something closer to "The greatly-revered lynx". See [http://www.freelang.net/dictionary/ojibwe.html Freelang Ojibwe Dictionary]</ref> However, it is also commonly referred to as the "Great Lynx," "Great underground wildcat," or "Great under-water wildcat."<ref name=Barnes>Barnes</ref><ref>"Mishi-Peshu" [http://books.google.com/books?doi=-gLBOIhjsPQC&pg=PA168&lpg=PA168&dq=Mishi-peshu&source=bl&ots=NNnev31kdp&sig=Lx3UhQHsHdHyfwwazxPlELqbPVQ&hl=en&ei=MBD3SpaXKIWo8AavkqjzCQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CAwQ6AEwAjgK#v=onepage&q=Mishi-peshu&f=false Gidmark, Jill B. (11/30/2000) ''Encyclopedia of American literature of the sea and Great Lakes'' Greenwood Press] ISBN 0-313-30148-4; ISBN 978-0-313-30148-3; 10.1336/0313301484. 568 pages, p. 168.</ref> Sometimes it is referred to as the ''Spirit Otter''.{{citation needed|date=September 2010}}
'''Underwater panthers''' were powerful creatures in the mythological traditions of some Native American tribes, particularly tribes of the [[Great Lakes]] region.<ref name=Kohl>Kohl</ref> In [[Anishinaabe language|Ojibwe]], the creature is sometimes called '''Mishibizhiw''' ("Mishipizhiw", "Mishipizheu", "Mishupishu", "Mishepishu"), "Mishibijiw" to the [[Anishinaabe language|Algonquin]], which translates as "Great Lynx,"<ref>[http://www.freelang.net/dictionary/ojibwe.html Freelang Ojibwe Dictionary]</ref> or '''Gichi-anami'e-bizhiw''' ("Gitche-anahmi-bezheu"), which translates as "the fabulous night panther."<ref name=Kohl /><ref>"The fabulous night panther" is a translation from [[Anishinaabe language|Ojibwe]] into [[French language|French]] to [[German language|German]], which then was translated into English. The direct translation would be something closer to "The greatly-revered lynx". See [http://www.freelang.net/dictionary/ojibwe.html Freelang Ojibwe Dictionary]</ref> However, it is also commonly referred to as the "Great Lynx," "Great underground wildcat," or "Great under-water wildcat."<ref name=Barnes>Barnes</ref><ref>"Mishi-Peshu" [http://books.google.com/books?doi=-gLBOIhjsPQC&pg=PA168&lpg=PA168&dq=Mishi-peshu&source=bl&ots=NNnev31kdp&sig=Lx3UhQHsHdHyfwwazxPlELqbPVQ&hl=en&ei=MBD3SpaXKIWo8AavkqjzCQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CAwQ6AEwAjgK#v=onepage&q=Mishi-peshu&f=false Gidmark, Jill B. (11/30/2000) ''Encyclopedia of American literature of the sea and Great Lakes'' Greenwood Press] ISBN 0-313-30148-4; ISBN 978-0-313-30148-3; 10.1336/0313301484. 568 pages, p. 168.</ref> Sometimes it is referred to as the ''Spirit Otter''.{{citation needed|date=September 2010}}


Underwater panthers were major components of the [[Southeastern Ceremonial Complex]] of the [[Mississippian culture]] in the prehistoric American Southeast.<ref> {{cite book | last = Townsend | first = Richard F. | title = [[Hero, Hawk, and Open Hand]]| publisher = [[Yale University Press]] | date = 2004 | isbn = 0300106017}}</ref><ref> {{cite book | editors = F. Kent Reilly and James Garber | title = [[Ancient Objects and Sacred Realms]] | publisher = [[University of Texas Press]] | date = 2004 | pages = 29–34 | isbn = 9780292713475 | author = edited by F. Kent Reilly III and James F. Garber ; foreword by Vincas P. Steponaitis.}}</ref>
Underwater panthers were major components of the [[Southeastern Ceremonial Complex]] of the [[Mississippian culture]] in the prehistoric American Southeast.<ref> {{cite book | last = Townsend | first = Richard F. | title = [[Hero, Hawk, and Open Hand]]| publisher = [[Yale University Press]] | date = 2004 | isbn = 0300106017}}</ref><ref> {{cite book | editors = F. Kent Reilly and James Garber | title = [[Ancient Objects and Sacred Realms]] | publisher = [[University of Texas Press]] | date = 2004 | pages = 29–34 | isbn = 9780292713475 | author = edited by F. Kent Reilly III and James F. Garber ; foreword by Vincas P. Steponaitis.}}</ref>
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[[Water monster]]s appear in the mythology of most cultures. In some [[Native American mythologies]], they were given a combination of traits of [[wild cat]]s such as the [[mountain lion]], or in some cases the [[lynx]], and those of [[snake]]s. The underwater panther was an amalgam of features from many animals: the horns of [[deer]] or [[bison]]; snake scales; bird [[feathers]]; the body and tail of a [[mountain lion]]; and parts from other animals as well, depending on the particular myth. ''Mishipizheu'' were said to live in the deepest parts of lakes and rivers. Some traditions believed the underwater panthers to be helpful, protective creatures, but more often they were viewed as malevolent beasts that brought death and misfortune.
[[Water monster]]s appear in the mythology of most cultures. In some [[Native American mythologies]], they were given a combination of traits of [[wild cat]]s such as the [[mountain lion]], or in some cases the [[lynx]], and those of [[snake]]s. The underwater panther was an amalgam of features from many animals: the horns of [[deer]] or [[bison]]; snake scales; bird [[feathers]]; the body and tail of a [[mountain lion]]; and parts from other animals as well, depending on the particular myth. ''Mishipizheu'' were said to live in the deepest parts of lakes and rivers. Some traditions believed the underwater panthers to be helpful, protective creatures, but more often they were viewed as malevolent beasts that brought death and misfortune.


To the [[Algonquins]], the underwater panther was the most powerful [[underworld]] being. The [[Ojibwa]] reportedly held them to be masters of all water creatures as well as of snakes. Some versions of the ''[[Nanabozho]]'' creation legend refer to whole communities of water [[lynx]].<ref>Bolgiano</ref>
To the [[Algonquins]], the underwater panther (Mishibijiw) was the most powerful [[underworld]] being. The [[Ojibwa]] reportedly held them to be masters of all water creatures as well as of snakes. Some versions of the ''[[Nanabozho]]'' creation legend refer to whole communities of water [[lynx]].<ref>Bolgiano</ref>


[[Potawatomi]] [[medicine bag]]s sometimes had an image of the underwater panther on one side and the [[Thunderbird (mythology)|Thunderbird]], master of the powers of the air, on the other. As late as the 1950s, the Prairie Band of Potawatomi Indians performed a traditional ceremony to placate the Underworld Panther and maintain balance with the Thunderbird.<ref>Bolgiano</ref> In addition to the [[Anishinaabe]]g – the Algonquins, Ojibwas, Potawatomis – ''Mishibizhiw'' stories are also to be found among the [[Montagnais]].<ref name=Barnes />
[[Potawatomi]] [[medicine bag]]s sometimes had an image of the underwater panther on one side and the [[Thunderbird (mythology)|Thunderbird]], master of the powers of the air, on the other. As late as the 1950s, the Prairie Band of Potawatomi Indians performed a traditional ceremony to placate the Underworld Panther and maintain balance with the Thunderbird.<ref>Bolgiano</ref> In addition to the [[Anishinaabe]]g – the Algonquins, Ojibwas, Potawatomis – ''Mishibizhiw'' stories are also to be found among the [[Montagnais]].<ref name=Barnes />

Revision as of 07:54, 30 December 2010

Underwater Panther, National Museum of the American Indian George Gustav Heye Center

Underwater panthers were powerful creatures in the mythological traditions of some Native American tribes, particularly tribes of the Great Lakes region.[1] In Ojibwe, the creature is sometimes called Mishibizhiw ("Mishipizhiw", "Mishipizheu", "Mishupishu", "Mishepishu"), "Mishibijiw" to the Algonquin, which translates as "Great Lynx,"[2] or Gichi-anami'e-bizhiw ("Gitche-anahmi-bezheu"), which translates as "the fabulous night panther."[1][3] However, it is also commonly referred to as the "Great Lynx," "Great underground wildcat," or "Great under-water wildcat."[4][5] Sometimes it is referred to as the Spirit Otter.[citation needed]

Underwater panthers were major components of the Southeastern Ceremonial Complex of the Mississippian culture in the prehistoric American Southeast.[6][7]



Description

Underwater Panther-Great Serpent bowl, Late Mississippian culture, AD 1300-1500, from Rhodes Place, Crittenden County, Arkansas, USA
Pictographs of a mishibizhiw as well as two snakes and a canoe, from Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. Attributed to the Ojibwa

Water monsters appear in the mythology of most cultures. In some Native American mythologies, they were given a combination of traits of wild cats such as the mountain lion, or in some cases the lynx, and those of snakes. The underwater panther was an amalgam of features from many animals: the horns of deer or bison; snake scales; bird feathers; the body and tail of a mountain lion; and parts from other animals as well, depending on the particular myth. Mishipizheu were said to live in the deepest parts of lakes and rivers. Some traditions believed the underwater panthers to be helpful, protective creatures, but more often they were viewed as malevolent beasts that brought death and misfortune.

To the Algonquins, the underwater panther (Mishibijiw) was the most powerful underworld being. The Ojibwa reportedly held them to be masters of all water creatures as well as of snakes. Some versions of the Nanabozho creation legend refer to whole communities of water lynx.[8]

Potawatomi medicine bags sometimes had an image of the underwater panther on one side and the Thunderbird, master of the powers of the air, on the other. As late as the 1950s, the Prairie Band of Potawatomi Indians performed a traditional ceremony to placate the Underworld Panther and maintain balance with the Thunderbird.[9] In addition to the Anishinaabeg – the Algonquins, Ojibwas, Potawatomis – Mishibizhiw stories are also to be found among the Montagnais.[4]

When ethnographer Johann Kohl visited the United States in the 1850s, he spoke with a Fond du Lac chief, who showed Kohl a piece of copper kept in his medicine bag. The chief said it was a strand of hair from the mishibizhiw, and thus considered extremely powerful.[1]

"Alligator" mound

Main article: Alligator Effigy Mound
Ceramic effigy jug of the underwater panther, Mississippian culture, from Rose Mound in Cross County, Arkansas, ca. 1400-1600 CE. Height: 8" (20 cm)

In 2003 archaeologist Brad Lepper suggested that the Alligator Effigy Mound in Granville, Ohio represents the underwater panther. Lepper suggests that early European settlers, when learning from Native Americans that the mound represented a fierce creature that lived in the water and ate people, mistakenly assumed that the Native Americans were referring to an alligator.[10]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c Kohl
  2. ^ Freelang Ojibwe Dictionary
  3. ^ "The fabulous night panther" is a translation from Ojibwe into French to German, which then was translated into English. The direct translation would be something closer to "The greatly-revered lynx". See Freelang Ojibwe Dictionary
  4. ^ a b Barnes
  5. ^ "Mishi-Peshu" Gidmark, Jill B. (11/30/2000) Encyclopedia of American literature of the sea and Great Lakes Greenwood Press ISBN 0-313-30148-4; ISBN 978-0-313-30148-3; 10.1336/0313301484. 568 pages, p. 168.
  6. ^ Townsend, Richard F. (2004). Hero, Hawk, and Open Hand. Yale University Press. ISBN 0300106017.
  7. ^ edited by F. Kent Reilly III and James F. Garber ; foreword by Vincas P. Steponaitis. (2004). Ancient Objects and Sacred Realms. University of Texas Press. pp. 29–34. ISBN 9780292713475. {{cite book}}: |author= has generic name (help); Unknown parameter |editors= ignored (|editor= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ Bolgiano
  9. ^ Bolgiano
  10. ^ Lepper.

Bibliography

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Horned serpent and underwater panther representations.
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