Pictographic Dress

Among the Lakota, muslin dresses painted with battle scenes could be worn only by women who had lost relatives in war. This dress belonged to Silent Woman, whose brother, Bobtail Bear, had been killed in battle with the Crow. Painted by a male relative, the individual scenes covering the front and back of the dress represent Bobtail Bear's military exploits and accomplishments. While each side forms an overall pictorial composition, the various episodes represent distinct events separated in time and place. Bobtail Bear's glyph, or name symbol, appears over many of the figures, thus identifying him in the actions portrayed. Other symbols-human hands (touching the enemy), human heads (slain enemies), pipes (war parties led by Bobtail Bear) and horse tracks (enemy horses taken)-represent additional war honors.