I
got a question about the Native American symbol for wind,
or more accurately, these magnificent people's concept of wind.
I
can't claim to capture the tremendous depth and reverence
this concept invokes...but this page gives a fair shot at trying to capsulate
the intangible :-)
My
studies and observations indicate the first peoples of North
America considered the wind to be a living force in and of itself . The wind is
a god - a power that is capable of communicating a larger-than-life language to
those who would hear it. Those who were certifiably authorized to interpret
these cosmic messages were shamans, medicine men, and the wise and spiritual
leaders among tribes.
A common Native American Indian symbol for wind is (shown top page). It's
a common motif among many North American tribes including Apache, Navajo and
Hopi. It's considered a protective emblem and invokes the power of the four
winds.
Interestingly, this is also a symbol of life and interpreted this way the sides
symbolize...
Native
American Symbol Represents Life
Unity
Freedom
Eternity
Balance
The Inuit Indians had an Air Spirit among the ranks of their Sila (a term
that means Wisdom and Weather). Their Air Spirit controls the seas, skies and
wind. Although considered a kind and beneficial spirit, it strikes wrath
against liars, beggars and theives in the form of illnesses. It is also blamed
for bad weather and poor hunting.
Among the Micmac (a tribe belonging to the Wabanaki Confederacy native to New
Brunswick and Nova Scotia. They also migrated to Maine, US) there is a story of
a hero named (in English) Strong Wind who turned evil people (specifically the
nefarious sisters of his beloved) into aspen trees, and to this day he makes
them tremble in fear when he comes near the aspen forest.
Outside of the US, the
Aztec wind-god, Ehecatle (a facet of Quetzalcoatl), was believed to blow the moon
and sun into orbit.
From a Native perspective, the wind seems to be personified as divine
messenger, able to manipulate unseen energy. What an amazing experience to open
the ears and have the voice of god emptied into it. Or, to view the path of the
winds and know it is the soul of a divine being that is sweeping through the
land.
These concepts made me think more deeply about the wind and its behavior in
my little world. Perhaps they will for you too.
I
hope you enjoyed this page on the Native American symbol
for wind.
An
Important Note About Signs, Symbols and Their Meanings
Signs and symbols cultivate their meanings according to culture, context,
passage of time in society as well as mass societal opinion. What's cool and highly important is
that signs and symbols earn their most powerful meanings from our own personal
perspectives.
This website strives to provide you with the best, time-honored information
when defining signs and symbols. However, in the final analysis, "Beauty
(and symbolism) is in the eye of the beholder."
Having said that, it's in our best interest to invest the time to do personal
research on symbolic events happening to us. This website is just one
perspective in an ocean of variety and diversity in the realm of symbolism. So
dive in! There is a whole universe of deeper meanings to explore! You can start
your research by clicking on the links at the end or to the side of this page.
Odds are good I've got a follow-up article about this symbolic topic. ;)
As always, thanks for your willingness to learn more about the language of
symbolism. It's a language that is universal and everywhere. It's super-groovy
to travel with you on your symbolic path, and maybe offer a little translation
along the way. Thanks for reading and exploring!
http://seliniartemisekati.blogspot.gr/
- Επιτρέπεται η αναδημοσίευση του περιεχομένου της ιστοσελίδας εφόσον
αναφέρεται ευκρινώς η πηγή του και υπάρχει ενεργός σύνδεσμος(link ). Νόμος
2121/1993 και κανόνες Διεθνούς Δικαίου που ισχύουν στην Ελλάδα.
ΕΠΙΣΗΜΑΝΣΗ
Ορισμένα αναρτώμενα από το διαδίκτυο κείμενα ή
εικόνες (με σχετική σημείωση της πηγής), θεωρούμε ότι είναι δημόσια. Αν
υπάρχουν δικαιώματα συγγραφέων, παρακαλούμε ενημερώστε μας για να τα
αφαιρέσουμε. Επίσης σημειώνεται ότι οι απόψεις του ιστολόγιου μπορεί να μην
συμπίπτουν με τα περιεχόμενα του άρθρου. Για τα άρθρα που δημοσιεύονται εδώ,
ουδεμία ευθύνη εκ του νόμου φέρουμε καθώς απηχούν αποκλειστικά τις απόψεις των
συντακτών τους και δεν δεσμεύουν καθ’ οιονδήποτε τρόπο το ιστολόγιο.
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