Question

by dekanawidah
official symbolism
a large bunch of shell strings, in the making of which the five nations confederate lords have equally contributed, shall symbolize the completeness of the union and certify the pledge of the nations represented by the confederate lords of the mohawk, the oneida, the onondaga, the cayuga and the senecca, that all are united and formed into one body or union called the union of the great law, which they have established.
a bunch of shell strings is to be the symbol of the council fire of the five nations confederacy. and the lord whom the council of fire keepers shall appoint to speak for them in opening the council shall hold the strands of shells in his hands when speaking. when he finishes speaking he shall deposit the strings on an elevated place (or pole) so that all the assembled lords and the people may see and know that the council is open and in progress.
when the council adjourns the lord who has been appointed by his comrade lords to close it shall take the strands of shells in his hands and address the assembled lords. thus will the council adjourn until such time and place as appointed by the council. then shall the shell strings be placed in a place for safekeeping.
every five years the five nations confederate lords and the people shall assemble together and shall ask one another if their minds are still in the same spirit of unity for the great binding law and if any of the five nations shall not pledge continuance and steadfastness to the pledge of unity then the great binding law shall dissolve.
five strings of shell tied together as one shall represent the five nations. each string shall represent one territory and the whole a completely united territory known as the five nations confederate territory.
five arrows shall be bound together very strong and each arrow shall represent one nation. as the five arrows are strongly bound this shall symbolize the complete union of the nations. thus are the five nations united completely and enfolded together, united into one

Explanation:

Answer:

The shell strings symbolize the completeness of the union, the pledge of the five nations (Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca), and the council fire of the Five Nations Confederacy.