Dreamcatchers: Their Origin And Meaning

You have probably heard of a small object that is created specifically to protect children at night. We are, of course, talking about dream catchers.

These mysterious objects of very ancient origin were specially designed to protect children from nightmares.

Dream catchers were designed as a protection against evil spirits. Mirko Badiale once said: “We should hang a sign on every child with the words: Be careful, dreams inside.”

Therefore, today we will talk about the importance of taking care of your baby’s sleep by using this special item with ancient origins.

Dreamcatchers have started to become very popular again. These sacred objects are made in the traditional way, with colored threads, feathers, pearls, willow or cedar and a ring. The idea was to always place them close to where the babies slept.

Celebrities who like the bohemian style have increased its popularity by using dream catchers in their homes.

Hilary Duff, the popular singer, actress, fashion designer, model and even the mother of a little boy named Luca, has joined the trend. She hung a beautiful, giant dream catcher in her son’s bedroom before he was born. Whether it was as a decoration or for a spiritual reason, it was a very nice gesture.

The origin of dream catchers

For Native Americans, dream catchers have more than one meaning. The Ojibwa people believe that they symbolize the movement of the sun. For Lakota, they are protective circles that represent the cycles of life.

There are other people like Siouxer who interpret their “magic” in a different way. They believe that bad things and bad dreams are caught in the dream catcher’s net.

According to them, the good dreams slide down along the feathers and the inner pearls and travel into the children’s minds.

During the 60’s and 70’s they became popular as souvenirs. They even became an element of cultural identification for various North American indigenous peoples.

Legends

When the world was young, legend has it, humans still had contact with the gods. One of the tribes that used to have regular communication with the spirit world was the Lakota tribe.

One morning, the spiritual leader of the tribe received a vision from Iktomi, the teacher of wisdom. He appeared in the form of a spider, he spoke in a sacred language that only Lakota could understand.

While Iktomi spoke, he collected feathers, hair, colored pearls and other treasures. He told him about the cycles of life and the importance of childhood.

Iktomy explained that our childhood determines how our adult life develops. He said that strong ties, good knowledge and solid roots must be woven into their lives during this period.

Look at my creation and hang it now by your children’s cradle from now on the spider-shaped teacher continued.

Life goes on in cycles, some are bad, and others are good. If we get stuck in a negative circle, we experience great pain. We must therefore close these circles properly and, with wisdom, begin more positive, brighter and more beautiful.

Listen, old man, he said as he made the sacred object. This network forms a perfect circle, but there is a hole in it. Everything will pass here, but only noble and good things will stay. When dawn comes, the evil things will burn with the first ray of light. It will disappear forever.

Iktomi then gave the dream catcher to the old leader and told him to do more, and that each child would sleep with one over his head. He also asked him to spread this counsel among his people and other tribes.

Dream catchers and children

Today, dream catchers often hang at the entrances to houses. They are also usually placed near windows.

Many women believe that they symbolize “thresholds” for different passages. Passages from the conscious world to the unconscious, the boundaries between our home and the outside world. Others consider them to be symbols of protection.

There are also those who believe that dream catchers are a way to motivate us to dream big. To follow our dreams and make them come true in our lives. This special setting is extremely inspiring.

To honor the tradition, you can place them next to your child’s crib or bed. But not directly over his head. It is always best to place them on the wall at a safe distance. We should make sure that they are placed in such a way that they can not fall down or so that the child can reach it.

Finally, we have another idea for you. Why not make your own dream catcher with your kids? It has become very popular to do this at children’s parties and other types of gatherings.

It would be very nice for your children to have one of these items that you have made together, or that you have made if they are not old enough. This would make the dream catcher even more fascinating and special.