The Iroquois Confederacy is composed of Six Nations. Within each of the nations, family members all belong to the same clan which is designated by an animal.  Members of each clan are all descendants of the same person. In Iroquois clans this person was a woman.  Each Iroquois person was born into a clan and remained in that clan for life. Being related, people within a clan could not intermarry; one had to marry someone in a different clan. There are presently nine clans - divided into animals from three earth elements: Land, Air, and Water. Prior to the Peacemaker, there were numerous other clans such as sweet potato, rock, and ball. After the formation of the Iroquois Confederacy, the number of clans was reduced to the nine represented below. All of the Six Nations have members from the Bear, Wolf, and Turtle clan while some nations also have members from some or all of the remaining 6 clans.

MOHAWK - "Kanienkahagen" People of the Flint BEAR     WOLF  TURTLE

ONEIDA - "Onayotekaono" People of the Standing Stone BEAR     WOLF    TURTLE

ONONDAGA - "Onundagaono" People of the Hills BEAR  WOLF TURTLE DEER EEL HAWK BEAVER

CAYUGA - "Guyohkohnyoh" People of the Great Swamp  BEAR WOLF TURTLE HERON SNIPE

SENECA - "Onondowahgah" People of the Great Hill BEAR WOLF TURTLE BEAVER HERON SNIPE  HAWK DEER

TUSCARORA - "Ska-Ruh-Reh" Shirt Wearing People BEAR WOLF TURTLE BEAVER  SNIPE DEER EEL