The phrase “to bury the hatchet” means to make peace or settle a dispute, but its roots run much deeper than a simple handshake. This expression comes from the fascinating ceremonial traditions of Native American tribes, especially the Iroquois Confederacy and other Eastern Woodland tribes.

In these tribes, the hatchet—or tomahawk—was more than just a tool; it was a symbol of war and conflict. When it was time to stop fighting and make peace, tribes would literally bury their hatchets as a powerful gesture of reconciliation. By burying the weapon, they symbolically put an end to hostility, committing to peace and harmony.

The Iroquois Confederacy, also known as the Haudenosaunee or Six Nations, is particularly famous for this practice. According to their traditions, the Great Peacemaker, a legendary figure, united the warring tribes by burying their weapons beneath the Tree of Peace—a lasting symbol of unity.

European settlers were intrigued by these treaty ceremonies and began adopting the phrase. In one notable 1705 account, British colonist Samuel Sewall described peace negotiations with Native Americans, writing, “They came to an agreement and buried the hatchet.” The phrase quickly caught on with English speakers, and before long, it entered the lexicon as a metaphor for settling disputes and making peace.

So, next time you hear someone say “bury the hatchet,” you can picture a dramatic moment of two rivals, literally laying down their weapons in the spirit of peace!