Some of the Native Americans had several uses for the Bloodroot plant. They would use the bright red dye made from the root as war paint and dyeing baskets and clothing.
It was a custom for a bachelor of the Ponca Tribe to rub the bright red root into the palm of his hand and then try to scheme a plan to shake the hand of the woman he desired to marry. By doing this he would color her hand as well. This was meant to be a type of love spell.
(Be very careful this plant can be toxic to ingest!)