How did someone weaving wampum decide which colors to use?
Different colors had different meanings: White wampum meant health, peace or purity. Purple and black wampum sometimes meant disease, distress, pain, or anger, particularly when used as a background colors in belt patterns. A wampum belt painted red could be sent to someone as a way of declaring war. A combination of these colors together helped to tell a story. For example a belt could have white designs on a purple background, and be surrounded by a white border, and so show that a relationship that was once violent is now peaceful. Designs had meanings too A black cloud could mean something bad happened, or could be a sign of war. A sunshine or a straight path of beads could be a sign of peace. A black bird could mean bad news, while a white or yellow bird could mean good news. A design showing a fire being made could be a sign of wanting to discuss what was happening between two groups of people.
