It is a shame that people wear jewelry or get tattoos that have attributes they do not understand. Now, when a child or teenager does this it is easily excusable, even when they misunderstand the history or meaning of a particular piece. Let an adult adorn themselves with the same ignorance, such as wearing a Native American cross necklace, and it becomes plain ignorance.
While meanings may vary among the differing tribes, a little research will empower the wearer of such a piece with the ability to discuss it intelligently when asked. Origins of many symbols used by the original inhabitants of this country are a bit sketchy, but it does appear that the tribes of the Mississippian area were the first to use this symbol. Known as the Mound Builders, these people utilized such symbols in ritual artwork.
The ancestors of this land were a deeply spiritual group of people, and they created artwork and symbolism for ritualistic purposes. They incorporated various symbols into each other in order to expand the meanings attributed to their cave paintings. This incorporation of symbols to show meaning is the origin of what we would now call an alphabet, and these natives were one of the first societies to develop a written language.
The Mound Builders saw the intersecting lines as barriers between the Underworld where the dead live, the physical world, and the upper world, which our culture often describes as Heaven. Their artwork often depicted these lines as coming together in the center of a circle. Within the center of this circle, these dimensions were shown to intersect.
The Celts used a very similar symbol in their artwork, often connecting realms with their Celtic knots. The meaning to the Celts was very similar to some of the tribes in that it was depicting the cardinal points as well as the four elements. The elemental connection is a symbolism which was sacred to most all ancient human societies.
This is also known as the medicine wheel in many tribes, most of which still use this particular meaning. The term Medicine Wheel was not actually a term used by these original Americans, but was terminology placed upon it by the European settlers. The colors utilized on the wheel were dependent upon the tribe or family group utilizing the symbol.
Within the circle, it may represent continuity, perfection, or infinity. When such artwork is made with colors, each arm or quadrant of the wheel has a particular color that can correspond to a cardinal direction or an element. When seen with the four colored quadrants, it becomes quite clear that it is the same as the Swastika symbol that originated from the ancient Hindu people.
What meaning is attributed to the symbol can relate to a tribal or clan group, or it can be a personal totem. When wearing this symbol, it is recommended that the wearer assign their own spiritual attributes to the item. This gives the jewelry greater significance for the wearer, and shows a great deal of respect for the ancient cultures who passed their heritage to us.
While meanings may vary among the differing tribes, a little research will empower the wearer of such a piece with the ability to discuss it intelligently when asked. Origins of many symbols used by the original inhabitants of this country are a bit sketchy, but it does appear that the tribes of the Mississippian area were the first to use this symbol. Known as the Mound Builders, these people utilized such symbols in ritual artwork.
The ancestors of this land were a deeply spiritual group of people, and they created artwork and symbolism for ritualistic purposes. They incorporated various symbols into each other in order to expand the meanings attributed to their cave paintings. This incorporation of symbols to show meaning is the origin of what we would now call an alphabet, and these natives were one of the first societies to develop a written language.
The Mound Builders saw the intersecting lines as barriers between the Underworld where the dead live, the physical world, and the upper world, which our culture often describes as Heaven. Their artwork often depicted these lines as coming together in the center of a circle. Within the center of this circle, these dimensions were shown to intersect.
The Celts used a very similar symbol in their artwork, often connecting realms with their Celtic knots. The meaning to the Celts was very similar to some of the tribes in that it was depicting the cardinal points as well as the four elements. The elemental connection is a symbolism which was sacred to most all ancient human societies.
This is also known as the medicine wheel in many tribes, most of which still use this particular meaning. The term Medicine Wheel was not actually a term used by these original Americans, but was terminology placed upon it by the European settlers. The colors utilized on the wheel were dependent upon the tribe or family group utilizing the symbol.
Within the circle, it may represent continuity, perfection, or infinity. When such artwork is made with colors, each arm or quadrant of the wheel has a particular color that can correspond to a cardinal direction or an element. When seen with the four colored quadrants, it becomes quite clear that it is the same as the Swastika symbol that originated from the ancient Hindu people.
What meaning is attributed to the symbol can relate to a tribal or clan group, or it can be a personal totem. When wearing this symbol, it is recommended that the wearer assign their own spiritual attributes to the item. This gives the jewelry greater significance for the wearer, and shows a great deal of respect for the ancient cultures who passed their heritage to us.
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