I’ve rattled on long enough about the buffalo’s history. Finally, I’ll get down to what the buffalo represents to the Native American people, in a spiritual sense, and why it has become so very popular to represent the buffalo in turquoise jewelry and Zuni fetishes.
The first obvious spiritual connection that can be drawn between man and buffalo is because of its sheer size.  Being the largest land animal here in the U.S., the Buffalo easily represents strength and perseverance. Also, as if to underscore its strength with perseverance, unlike many other members of the animal world, the Buffalo never turns its back to wind, snow and rain – it will face the elements head on always facing trouble.
Another aspect of the buffalo is that it represents home and community. This is because of the large herds that would live and migrate together in harmony. As large as the buffalo may be, it does not live its life aggressively seeking to own his land. Instead, the buffalo lives its life with its own kind, in harmony. A great example of this harmony in action is to watch a herd of buffalo as they race across the plains. It’s almost as if they act as a single unit instead of multiple individuals.
When I first heard some of these stories of the buffalo, I could easily understand how such a great animal became such a strong symbol to Zuni fetish carvers.