Southeast relics reveal the forked eye as a Southeast Ceremonial Complex cultural motif of the Mississippian region, once part of the Chickasaw tribal homelands. Members of this widespread system of tribes with similar spiritual beliefs were early artisans who rendered the forked eye to represent beings that lived in an Upper World. They may be bi-forked or tri-forked designs around the eyes, or zigzag lines down the cheeks, suggesting preternatural qualities of watchfulness and power.