Yellow ochre in a leather bag.

In many native American cultures, and cultures all over the world, ochre is a sacred substance used for painting both people and objects. The color of the ochre, typically yellow, red, blue, or brown, were all symbolic in certain contexts and often believed to produce sacred powers in the wearer.

The processing of ochre is very complicated and after being reduced to a fine powder is treated though heat and fire. This heating process is what produces the various colors of ochre.