Heartline

The Heartline is a meaningful symbol seen in Southwest Native American art. It is a line or arrow running through an animal, mostly commonly a bear. Seen in Zuni fetish carvings, or Navajo and Hopi silverwork, the Heartline signifies the spiritual breath of the animal.

“The Heartline is a symbol of what you’ve learned from the world that you’ve taken into your heart because that is what you are able to give back to the world.” – Ray Tracey, Navajo (Diné) artist.