Sisiutl

Sisiutl (Sisiyutl, Siskiyutl, Sisioohl, Si'siul) is a powerful, terrifying double-headed serpent that guards the house of the sky people. Sisiutl symbolizes duality and contradiction: it is a death-dealer but can also bestow power. It can transform into a fish or a self-propelled canoe, and its glance can kill or turn an enemy to stone. Sisiutl is also a spirit helper who is called upon to make warriors powerful and invulnerable. Warriors wear headbands and belts with the image of Sisiutl. In the Winalagalis (War Spirit) ceremonies of the Kwakwaka'wakw, Sisiutl is one of the warrior's attendants, called forth by the Tuxw'id (female war dancer). After catching a Sisiutl, a person must throw sand on it, not touch it directly, tie it securely and never have it in the house. Keeping it in water produces potent medicine; washing with the water brings health and longevity. Families that claim Sisiutl as a crest may own parts of its body, which bestow great powers on the bearer. Bits of glittery mica found on the shore are sometimes called Sisiutl scales. Sisiutl is usually shown horizontally as a double headed serpent, the heads at each end in profile displaying wolfish features, long tongues and a single curly horn-like appendage. The creature's middle is usually a human-like face, with two curly horns. Among the Nuxalk, Sisiutl is noted for its well sculpted features and deep blue coloring.