Perentie and goanna, sometimes described interchangeably when translated into English have their own unique Aboriginal word depending on the tribal language. The goanna is often depicted in paintings along with other symbolic imagery, whether it is in the story of ‘bush tucker’, hunting, dreamtime or totemic illustration.

With some artwork and their stories, confusion seem to arise in the English description and translation of the story behind the piece. Some art pieces may be described in English but include the aboriginal name/words, for example ‘Echunpa—Goanna’. Echunpa is the aboriginal word for a large lizard, that refers to the species Varanus giganteus, otherwise known as the Perentie. When you consider the number of Aboriginal languages, that can describe the single English word ‘goanna’, then it is not surprising that confusion can arise. The answer lies in understanding the story as a whole, how the piece has been depicted, does it look like a perentie or a goanna, or in the actual title of a piece ‘Ngintaka Dreaming’, Ngintaka being the giant perentie lizard spirit.

The image of goanna and perentie can be seen in numerous works including Arthur Robertson (Tjatitjarra), Daniel Goodwin, Clarabelle Swift, June Sultan Narpandi-Arpungada, Rex Sultan-Jabangardi, Trephina Sultan Thanguwa, Janet Spencer Nungurrayi (Wardapi Jukurrpa - Goanna Dreaming).