Images of Native American Indians often depict them in full war paint. Many tribes painted their bodies and faces for rituals, dances and battle. The designs were believed to hold magic powers for protection. Colours and images were also used to make the warriors, chiefs and braves look more ferocious. Red was a favourite – often thought of as the colour of war, while green face paint was used as an aid to night vision.
Native American Indians even painted their horses and ponies – decorating them with symbols of war and power. When paint was applied to an object it became a person, and likewise, paint applied to a person transformed him with a gift of extraordinary characteristics and powers, such as courage, strength, stealth, health.
