Dreamcatchers
Mandelas Talking Feathers
Medicine Wheels 
Dreamcatcher Legend
According to
legend: Dreamcatchers were originally hung over the baby's cradle.
Dreams are messages from
the spirit world. The good spirit dreams, being smart, will find
their way through the center hole and float down the sacred feathers
onto the sleeping one. The bad spirit dreams, being stupid, will get caught
in the web and disappear with the morning light.
Dreamcatchers are believed
to bestow pleasant dreams, good luck, and lifetime harmony.
Although Dreamcatchers are
made by a variety of people and Native Americans, and although
there are many stories and legends, the Ojibwe (called the Chippewa)
originated the Dreamcatcher. Articles
representing spider webs were usually hung from the hoop of a
child's cradle board, and it was said that "they catch and
hold everything evil as a spider's web catches and holds everything
that comes into contact with it". These dreamcatchers were
wooden hoops with a 3 1/2 inch diameter, filled with a web made
of nettle-stalk cord that was dyed red with bloodroot and wild
plum inner bark. By the early 1900's, dark red yarn had been substituted
for plant fiber in constructing the web by the Ojibwe. Also, a
similiar netted-hoop made the Pawnee was made to represent the
Spider-Woman, a spirit who controlled the buffalo.
This information was found at the Native
Tech site, and for more information about Dreamcatchers and other
Native American information please go to: Native
Tech Author of Native Tech is Tara Prindle
Structure of a Dreamcatcher
Dreamcatchers made of willow and sinew are for children,
and they are not mean't to last. Eventually the willow dries out
and the tension of the sinew collapses the dreamcatcher. That's
supposed to happen. It belies the temporary-ness of youth. Adults
should use dreamcatchers of woven fiber which is made up to reflect
their adult "dreams". It is also customary in many parts
of Canada and the Northeastern U.S. to have the dreamcatchers
be a tear-drop/snow shoe shape. *Note: This story was from information
located at the Native Tech site. Please use the link above to
take you there! Tip!
Dreamcatchers always have webbing
and always have a hole in the center. Many
that I have seen are webbed tightly to the center. Which means
there is no place for the good dreams to go through! Make sure
your dreamcatcher has a web, if it doesn't, then it is not a Dreamcatcher!
Mandelas
Mandelas are
variations of Dance Shields that were used by the Plains Indians.
When made by using various articles such as fetishes and designs,
they have a special meaning to the owner or maker. Mandelas are
believed to bring happiness and prosperity.
Talking Feathers
Talking feathers
were passed around a circle to each warrior. While holding the
feather each warrior would describe his dreams and visions. The
eagle feather was the most prized. (Today, these are made with
imitation Eagle feather). A light and airy feather was a symbol
of the intermediate region between the spirit world and earth.
Medicine Wheel
According to
legend the Medicine Wheel provides spiritual protection. The wheel
represents life: the feathers for strength and the four points
on the wheel signify Sky, Wind, Water and Earth. The center is
believed to be the center of spiritual power.
