Native American’s believe that each person and each object possesses their own medicine, whether it is good or bad medicine.  The concept would be similar to the Australian aborigine’s concept of manna.  A person most protect their personal medicine at all times, similar to the concept involved with a medicine bag.  A medicine shield’s leather acts as a shield to block bad medicine, while the beautiful feather work attracts good medicine. A medicine shield’s purpose is to protect and promote the health of the owner and his family.