What do dreamcatchers do? Purpose & Meaning of the Dream Catcher

Sometimes referred to as 'Sacred Hoops,' Ojibwe dreamcatchers were traditionally used as talismans to protect sleeping people, usually children, from bad dreams and nightmares. Native Americans believe that the night air is filled with dreams, both good and bad. When hung above the bed in a place where the morning sunlight can hit it, the dream catcher attracts and catches all sorts of dreams and thoughts into its webs. Good dreams pass through and gently slide down the feathers to comfort the sleeper below. Bad dreams, however, are caught up in its protective net and destroyed, burned up in the light of day.

Simple dream catcher decorated with feathers and beads. These are often hung above cribs or in the windows and above doorways of the rooms where childeren sleep and sometime near the sleep area of adults with troubled sleep to catch the bad dreams and the spirits who send them within the web of the dream catcher.

Description Small Blue, gray and white triple moon goddess dream catcher.Each of the 3 moon phases are individually formed from steel to create the triple moon frame.Each moon phase section is a 4 inch diameter hoop and when put together a total length of 12 inches. Via decozilla The dream catcher is a handmade craft originated in the Native American culture.The tribe left their very own dream catcher to guard their newborns. People today think that fantasy catcher would filter all terrible visions and spirits, allow only the good dreams and optimistic ideas enter our mind. Pentagram dreamcatcher; I have one very much like these over my fireplace mantel. Saved by Sierra Hennessy. Wiccan Decor Wiccan Crafts Pentacle Tattoo Etoile Dreams Catcher Dream Catcher Craft Diy And Crafts.

Dreamcatcher Meaning: Web, Feathers & Beads

All parts of the authentic Native American dreamcatcher have meaning tied to the natural world. The shape of the dreamcatcher is a circle because it represents the circle of life and how forces like the sun and moon travel each day and night across the sky. The dreamcatcher web catches the bad dreams during the night and dispose of them when the day comes. As for the good dreams, the feathers act as a fluffy, pillow-like ladder that allows them to gently descend upon the sleeping person undisturbed. There is some contention when it comes to the meaning of the beads that often decorate the dreamcatcher. According to some American Indians, the beads symbolize the spider—the web weaver itself. Others believe the beads symbolize the good dreams that could not pass through the web, immortalized in the form of sacred charms.

Not a Indian produced goods as referred to by US Code Title 25, Sec 305 and seq.

Dream Catcher Meaning Symbolism

Long ago when the world was young, an old Lakota spiritual leader was on a high mountain and had a vision.
In his vision, Iktomi, the great trickster and teacher of wisdom, appeared in the form of a spider.
Iktomi spoke to him in a sacred language that only the spiritual leaders of the Lakota could understand.
As he spoke Ikotmi, the spider, took the elder's willow hoop which had feathers, horse hair, beads and offerings on it and began to spin a web.
He spoke to the elder about the cycles of life…and how we begin our lives as infants and we move on to childhood, and then to adulthood. Finally we go to old age where we must be taken care of as infants, completing the cycle.
'But,' Iktomi said as he continued to spin his web, 'in each time of life there are many forces - some good and some bad. If you listen to the good forces, they will steer you in the right direction. But if you listen to the bad forces, they will hurt you and ste3er you in the wrong direction.'
He continued, 'There are many forces and different directions that can help or interfere with the harmony of nature, and also with the Great Spirit and all of his wonderful teachings.'
All the while the spider spoke, he continued to weave his web starting from the outside and working towards the center.
When Iktomi finished speaking, he gave the Lakota elder the web and said…'See, the web is a perfect circle but there is a hole in the center of the circle.'
He said, 'Use the web to help yourself and your people to reach your goals and make good use of your people's ideas, dreams and visions.
'If you believe in the Great Spirit, the web will catch your good ideas - and the bad ones will go through the hole.'
The Lakota elder passed on his vision to his people and now the Sioux Indians use the dream catcher as the web of their life.
It is hung above their beds or in their home to sift their dreams and visions. The good in their dreams are captured in the web of life and carried with them…but the evil in their dreams escapes through the hole in the center of the web and are no longer a part of them.
They believe that the dream catcher holds the destiny of their future.