For the Native Americans, the arrow was not merely a tool for hunting, but was also venerated as a symbol of life because it protected the people from wild animals and the harsh natural world. Many historians claim that arrows were originally given a symbolic significance by the Native Americans, who were the original inhabitants of the United States. Meaning of Arrowsīecause arrows were widely used since ancient times by most cultures, the symbol acquired different meanings based on the culture it was in. Today, the symbol of the arrow is used around the world to point out directions. These simplified forms were first put to use by the artist Paul Klee and cartographer Emil Reich. Henceforth, this triangular shape was used to denote directions. The drawing of the shaft and point was discarded to leave only the arrowhead. In the 19 th century, around the time of the industrial revolution, the arrow lost its meaning as a weapon and gained a new symbolic meaning. Early cave paintings and manuscripts are etched with drawings of warriors armed with bows and arrows. In ancient cultures, they were primarily used as weapons, either to hunt animals or for people to defend themselves from warring tribes. The earliest arrows are said to be found in South Africa, almost 70,000 years ago, and appear in Eurasia 48,000 years ago.