Dreamcatcher

What is the meaning and history of the Dreamcatcher? You have probably seen a dreamcatcher hanging from a porch, car mirror or in a gift shop more than once, and wondered about its purpose, symbolism, history. In this article we will try to bring you closer to the topic of these "mysterious" objects that are dream catchers.

Dreamcatcher legend and origins

Dreamcatcher's origins date back to tribal times Ojibwe American Indian . Ethnographer Francis Densmore in 1929 described legend from Ojibwe, from which we can learn that this protective item was brought by a spider-woman named Asibikaashi, which takes care of all children, men and women on earth. Although spiders are intimidating and intimidating in many cultures, the Ojibwe people considered them to be a protective symbol.

As the Ojibwe tribe grew, Asibikaashi could not protect her entire people, which began to spread throughout the country. Ashibikaashi created the first dream catcher to protect your people from evil and negative energy, spreading in the air ( just like a spider catches its prey in a web ).

Every mom and grandmother also began to weave dream catchers to protect their family from evil. Even babies were hung by dream catchers by the bed so that they would not be disturbed by nightmares.

The meaning and symbolism of the Dreamcatcher

Ojibwe dream catchers, sometimes also called “sacred hoops,” have traditionally been used as talismans to protect sleeping people, usually children, from bad dreams and nightmares. Native Americans believe that the night air is full of dreams, both good and bad. Suspended above the bed in a place where the morning sun can illuminate it, the dreamcatcher attracts and catches all kinds of dreams into its web. Good dreams pass and glide gently over feathers to calm the sleeper. Bad dreams fall into a protective net and are destroyed - burned in the morning light.

The dreamcatcher, thanks to its history and origins, is also symbol of unity among Indian communities.

Also the importance of individual components is important Dreamcatcher:

• Hoop - symbolizes the circle of life
• Net - used to stop bad dreams
• Feathers - thanks to them, good dreams "flow" onto the sleeping person.
• Beads and pebbles - they will help to fulfill the dreams of a sleeping person.

What are dream catchers made of

Traditional Indian authentic dream catchers are made from elastic wooden rod  (e.g. willow) rim-shaped or burst networks, a tightening spiral (like a spider's web) made of tendons, hair, or straps; feathers hang from the rims; decorations - beads, stones, jewelry ... Organic, natural materials are needed to create a dream catcher.

Huge plastic dreamcatchers with bold and vibrant faux feathers are the commercial version of these original Native American protective products.

Dreamcatcher - tattoo

Dreamcatcher - very popular tattoo motif ... Below are some examples of tattoos: