Native Made Dream Catcher
If you don't see something you like at this time check back from time to time because we will be putting other dream catchers in our store.
May 03, 2018 Dreamcatchers and Medicine Wheels At Kachina House we carry a vast selection of Native American dreamcatchers and medicine wheels, handmade by artists from various tribes. Crafted and accented with natural mataerials, we offer unique objects of art and craft. Dream Catchers are a spiritual tool used to help assure good dreams to those that sleep under them. A dream catcher is usually placed over a place you would sleep where the morning light can hit it. As you sleep all dreams from the spirit world have to pass through the dream catcher. Native American dreamcatchers are an element of southwest decor that is one of the most exciting and fun home decorating styles you will find. Native American dream catchers make it. Dream catchers are one of the most fascinating traditions of Native Americans. The traditional dream catcher was intended to protect the sleeping individual from negative dreams, while letting positive dreams through. Here at Native American Vault, we offer wonderfully made dreamcatchers with varying designs and sizes. If you are using a dry willow or grapevine we suggest placing it into a bowl of.
Click Pictures To Enlarge | Dream Catcher Info Your Price: $8.95 to $79.95 Depending on size |
Click Pictures To Enlarge | Four Corners Dreamcatcher Medicine Wheel This Native American Indian Dreamcatcher is of a very high quality. It was skillfully hand made by a Navajo Indian artisan. The wheel was entirely wrapped in soft genuine buckskin leather. The web has been created with a traditional design in the center to symbolize the four corners of the earth, created with wooden pipe beads and a genuine abalone shell button. This dreamcatcher has a diameter of 6'. Genuine feathers have been known to act as symbols of prayer. Attached to the bottom is a hand made medicine bag. Four Corners Dreamcatcher Medicine Wheel (Native American Made) Suggested Retail $99.99 / Your Price: $72.50 |
Click Pictures To Enlarge | Painted End Of Trail Mandella Made By Experience the cultural beauaty of Native American Mandellas.The mandella is one of the most powerful American Indian items, being a descendant of the plains Indian dance shield. Prayers for survival, spiritual blessings, powerful visions, physical protection, and long life go into the making of the traditional mandella as it represents the interwoven threads of creation, and the wonder of diversity in Mother Earth. This hand-painted leather star shields measure 14' in diameter and is adorned with Crow beads and tip plumes. A perfect addition to any Southwest-themed decor all at a fair price! Size: 14' Your Price: $75.00 |
Click Pictures To Enlarge | Painted Eagle Mandella Made By Experience the cultural beauaty of Native American Mandellas.The mandella is one of the most powerful American Indian items, being a descendant of the plains Indian dance shield. Prayers for survival, spiritual blessings, powerful visions, physical protection, and long life go into the making of the traditional mandella as it represents the interwoven threads of creation, and the wonder of diversity in Mother Earth. This hand-painted leather star shields measure 14' in diameter and is adorned with Crow beads and tip plumes. A perfect addition to any Southwest-themed decor all at a fair price! Size: 14' Your Price: $75.00 |
Click Pictures To Enlarge | Medicine Wheel Wall Hanging Made By Originating with the Plains Indians, the Medicine Wheel has always been a symbol of peace and tranquility, a device to ward off evil spirits. Incorporating a peace pipe, a dream catcher, and the symbol for the four sacred directions, the Medicine Wheel is good medicine. A perfect addition to any Southwest-themed decor all at a fair price! Size: 20' Your Price: $225.00 |
Click Pictures To Enlarge | Ceremonial Shield with Full Pheasant Made By This solid buckskin shield has a full pheasant pelt and and conchos. The pheasant shield when used by a warrior would aid in his concealment from the enemy. This item is handcrafted and therefore the feathers will vary. Certificate of Authenticity included. A perfect addition to any Southwest-themed decor all at a fair price! Size: 14 in. dia. + 14 in. of fringe Your Price: $300.00 |
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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.
These beautiful Native American talismans have a rich history, steeped in tradition. They’re not just eye-catching displays in cheap gift stores!
Anyone who has a dream catcher or wants to buy one should read this article first. You need to know the true meaning of dream catchers to respect and admire the culture behind them.
What is a Dream Catcher?
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.
Traditional, authentic dream catchers were made from wooden hoops, with thread webbing, handmade beads, leather, and feathers. Organic, natural materials are essential. 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.
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.
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. Dream catchers were originally made for very small children and babies, so they could be hung just above their cribs.
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.
The Beautiful Legends Behind Dream Catchers
Various Native American cultures have dream catchers, or a version of them, woven into their traditions. 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.
The legend focuses on Asibikaashi, the spider woman. She was the spiritual protector of the Ojibwe people, protecting the children from harm.
As their people spread further across the land, Asibikaashi found it harder to protect everyone from far away. So, the dream catcher was created.
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.
From here, the legend branches out with different meanings and stories depending on who’s telling the history of dream catchers.
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. When the first rays of the sun touch the dreamcatcher in the morning, those trapped bad dreams are destroyed.
Lakota Legends
Similarly to Ojibwe, the Lakota legends about dreamcatchers begin with a spiritual being associated with spiders. 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.
Real Native American Dreamcatchers
The dreamcatcher itself is also a symbol – the perfectly round hoop is a symbol of the circle of life, the sun, and the moon. The soft, downy feathers (often owl feathers) are the ladders that good dreams float down into your mind.
Furthermore, the number of points where the webbed thread touches the inside of the hoop is symbolic. 13 points represent the phases of the moon, 8 for the spider woman’s legs, 7 for the prophesies, 6 for the eagle, and 5 for a star.
Sacred beads and tokens can also be added amongst the feathers.
Finally, the gems or stones in the dreamcatcher can represent good dreams or, if there’s a single stone, represent the creator of the world.
Why Understanding the Symbolism and History of Dream Catchers is Important
Dreamcatchers are closely tied to heart-warming and noble legends of Native Americans – so is it right for people around the world to buy dreamcatchers on a whim or simply because they’re “pretty”?
The dreamcatcher should be a symbol of unity among Native American communities, not an over-commercialized and misused plastic decoration, made in China, and eventually forgotten in a landfill site.
This is where cultural appropriation comes in. It is controversial, and frankly offensive in our opinion, to adopt a piece of tradition from one culture without even trying to understand and respect the origins and meaning behind it.
Cultural appreciation, on the other hand, should be commended. Owning a dreamcatcher, understanding and respecting the meaning behind it, and supporting the Native American people is to be commended.
That’s why we recommend you buy dreamcatchers from traditional Native American craftspeople – you’ll find them for sale in Indian territory across the US and Canada, just look for tribal giftshops or attend Native Indian events to learn more about the culture as well.
For online resources to buy authentic dreamcatchers from, check out this list from Native Languages.
Gifting dreamcatchers to newly born babies and young children is a beautiful way to honor the original dream catcher meaning and respect the legends behind them by passing down the story from one generation to the next.
Authentic Native Made Dream Catchers
Summary – Dream Catcher Meaning
If you’ve been looking for a scientific explanation of how dreamcatchers work, you’re going to be disappointed. Dream catchers are stunning talismans with a beautiful history and meaning behind them.
The simple act of respecting and honoring the tradition of your dreamcatcher as you hang it above your bed is sure to leave you with a smile on your face and good dreams in your mind!
If you want to buy a dream catcher, you can check the best seller from Amazon, Walmart and even Aliexpress (very cheap)
Just remember to:
- Learn about the dreamcatcher you’re buying, and the symbolism behind it.
- Respect and appreciate the culture that brought you the dream catcher.
- Buy traditional, hand-crafted dreamcatchers from Native American craftspeople.