Iktomi created the dreamcatcher to catch good ideas on the web so they won’t be lost, but let bad ideas filter through the central hole and simply pass by their people unharmed. Similarly to Ojibwe, the Lakota legends about dreamcatchers begin with a spiritual being associated with spiders. Lakota Legends Terry Cralle, RN, MS, CPHQ When the first rays of the sun touch the dreamcatcher in the morning, those trapped bad dreams are destroyed. Many believe that the dreamcatcher will catch bad dreams in the web, while good dreams filter through the hole, gem or bead in the center. The web within the willow hoop, like a spider’s web, would catch any bad thoughts or spirits lingering around – not specifically for bad dreams.įrom here, the legend branches out with different meanings and stories depending on who’s telling the history of dream catchers. She was the spiritual protector of the Ojibwe people, protecting the children from harm.Īs their people spread further across the land, Asibikaashi found it harder to protect everyone from far away. The legend focuses on Asibikaashi, the spider woman. But it is the Ojibwe culture (indigenous people originally from northern midwestern USA and Canada) that the majority of historians agree the dream catcher originated from. Various Native American cultures have dream catchers, or a version of them, woven into their traditions. The Beautiful Legends Behind Dream Catchers Terry Cralle, RN, MS, CPHQ Over the decades, dream catchers have taken on new meanings – some with respect for the traditions, others without – and become symbols for various movements, such as the non-violent Pan-Indianism Movement.
Dream catchers were originally made for very small children and babies, so they could be hung just above their cribs. How the traditional dreamcatcher works varies slightly from one legend to another, but the meaning is always similar: to catch harmful thoughts or bad dreams and keep you safe with good dreams and positive thoughts while you sleep. The huge, plastic dream catchers with vividly bright faux feathers are a commercialized version of the original Native American dream catcher – more on why you shouldn’t buy these below. They would be a few inches wide at most, and certainly wouldn’t be the bright, colorful and over-the-top dream catchers you find in cheap holiday gift shops. Organic, natural materials are essential. Traditional, authentic dream catchers were made from wooden hoops, with thread webbing, handmade beads, leather, and feathers. Just in case you’re really clueless, a dream catcher is a small round talisman that’s hung by your bed to capture bad dreams and/or deliver good dreams and thoughts while you sleep. What is a Dream Catcher? Terry Cralle, RN, MS, CPHQ You need to know the true meaning of dream catchers to respect and admire the culture behind them.
They’re not just eye-catching displays in cheap gift stores!Īnyone who has a dream catcher or wants to buy one should read this article first. These beautiful Native American talismans have a rich history, steeped in tradition. A dream catcher is pretty self-explanatory, right? Yep, you’d be correct in thinking that dream catchers are made to snatch away bad dreams… but there’s so much more to them than that.
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