Types of Native American Pipes

• True Native American pipes often have elaborate carvings imbued with symbolism. Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images

  Native American pipes are diverse in form and function. There are ceremonial pipes used for spiritual rituals and formal ceremonies of state. There are also pipes made for casual use. The pipe's color, material and form are often dictated by tribal custom and have geographical variations. Ceremonial pipes tend to be longer in length than those used for casual smoking.

Effigy Pipes

• Some effigy pipes are on the smaller side and may depict humans as well as animals. pipe image by Anthony CALVO from Fotolia.com

  Also known as animal pipes, these pipes are used most often by plains tribes. These pipes are large, often up to two feet long. Some archaeologists speculate that the carved animals symbolize the shaman's spirit guide. Typically the animals would face the smoker.

Plains Pipes

• Plains pipes served an important part of the daily life of Plains tribes. tepees on the great plains image by Jeff from Fotolia.com

  Also known as T-Pipes, these ceremonial pipes are used in sweat lodges or inipi ceremonies. They were also used for daily smoking, but even then they carried with them fine points of tradition and etiquette. They might be used in a meeting of men or for the owner of a home to signify that it was time for guests to leave.

Elbow Pipes

• The elbow pipe has been used as a ceremonial pipe, though many years ago they were often used for casual smoking. Elbow pipes have been found in excavations in the Eastern United States as far back as 1,000 B.C. They appear to have been used by both men and women.

Calumet Pipes

• Calumet pipes were often decorated with feathers and beads. feathers image by lidian neeleman from Fotolia.com

  Calumet pipes are popularly known as peace pipes. They were commonly used in ceremonies where peace treaties or other contracts were signed. They were also used in religious ceremonies where the smoke was thought to carry the prayers to the creator. They are often made out of a ground stone known as pipestone.

Tomahawk Pipes

• Tomahawk pipes, also known as hawk pipes, hatchet pipes or warrior pipes, did not come into use until after Native Americans had come in contact with European explorers. They are made with metal bowls--often steel, brass or iron--and the stem is typically wrapped in leather. Early ones had elaborate engravings and etchings on the metal.

Cloud Blower

• The cloud blower is one of the oldest known pipes. It is tubular in shape and resembles a cigar. A pipe made of basalt that is 3,000 years old is on display in an Arizona museum.