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.
The attributes of symbolism can vary a great deal from tribe to tribe, so a full study of this is called for so that the wearer can speak intelligently on the matter. The origins of this symbol appear to have come from the ancient Mound Builders, also known as the Mississippian tribes of Midwestern America. Modern tribes still have elements of these Mississippian people in their culture, and they still use this symbol in their rituals, although different groups utilize it in various ways.
These original Americans were a very spiritual group of people, and their use of symbolism as sacred ritual tools, some of which can be seen in museums even now, is well established. The symbol, when combined with other lines and shapes, may have had altered meanings to these people. This is the origin of their written words, as the first Americans were also some of the earliest people to develop an alphabet, and were the first to have a printed newspaper.
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.
The meanings and spiritual attributes vary greatly from tribe to tribe. However, anyone can utilize this symbolism for their own spiritual purposes. When one wears such an adornment, it would show great respect to have their piece represent four attributes that they choose for themselves.
The attributes of symbolism can vary a great deal from tribe to tribe, so a full study of this is called for so that the wearer can speak intelligently on the matter. The origins of this symbol appear to have come from the ancient Mound Builders, also known as the Mississippian tribes of Midwestern America. Modern tribes still have elements of these Mississippian people in their culture, and they still use this symbol in their rituals, although different groups utilize it in various ways.
These original Americans were a very spiritual group of people, and their use of symbolism as sacred ritual tools, some of which can be seen in museums even now, is well established. The symbol, when combined with other lines and shapes, may have had altered meanings to these people. This is the origin of their written words, as the first Americans were also some of the earliest people to develop an alphabet, and were the first to have a printed newspaper.
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.
The meanings and spiritual attributes vary greatly from tribe to tribe. However, anyone can utilize this symbolism for their own spiritual purposes. When one wears such an adornment, it would show great respect to have their piece represent four attributes that they choose for themselves.
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