Very popular decorative objects in recent years, dreamcatchers are believed to protect their owners from evil spirits during the night. Let's discover together the origins of the dreamcatcher and its various functions.
What is a dreamcatcher?
Specifically, a dreamcatcher is a protective object made up of at least two parts: first, a hoop usually made of willow, and then a network of threads in the shape of a net, resembling the pattern a spiderweb might produce. In addition to these two central elements, decorations are often added and vary from one model to another, although feathers and beads represent the majority of the decorations found. According to beliefs, dreamcatchers prevent nightmares and other evil spirits from interfering with their owner's sleep. Comparable to a filter, its role is to ward off negative spirits to soothe nights by keeping only positive and pleasant dreams. The first dreamcatchers are believed to originate from the Ojibwe, a Native American tribe in North America, which still forms the third largest Indigenous group in the United States today.
The Origin: The Myth of the Huron Legend
The dreamcatcher originates from an ancient legend passed down by Indigenous peoples from generation to generation. It is said that a young member of a tribe had to go hunting to find food for his village and family. He then took the path through forests and mountains to find animals to hunt. Despite visiting many places, he found nothing and kept going deeper and deeper into the forests in search of game. On his way, he spotted a mysterious and imposing cave and entered it, thinking he would find the food he was looking for inside. However, no animals were present inside, and the man felt a malevolent presence around him. That's when a horrible beast with red eyes and black fur rushed at him. Panicked, the man barely escaped, leaving his bow and arrows behind.
Back in the village, he had no weapons and still no food. When evening came, he couldn't sleep, constantly thinking about what had happened. A few hours later, he finally fell asleep but immediately woke up from a nightmare in which he saw the beast staring at him, ready to devour him. Every night, the same scenario repeated itself. One night, as the man awoke from his usual nightmare, he left the village and went into the forest. Exhausted, he fell asleep on the way, on the ground covered with branches. The next day, when the sun rose, the man woke up surprised: he had not had any nightmares. He looked above his head among the trees and saw a spiderweb on which morning dew glistened. Since then, the man always slept in the same spot, near the web, and told this story to his people, who then created the first dreamcatchers as craft objects.
Dreams: The Reflection of Who We Are and What We Need
In many cultures, dreams hold a very important symbolic and spiritual significance. Often, they take the form of various animals, notably the spider or the wolf, which are considered deities whose purpose is to convey a message or teaching to us. Thus, according to Huron culture, which is at the origin of dreamcatchers, humans are part of what they call the Great Spirit, a creative entity of nature and men. The role of the Great Spirit is to suggest dreams in order to be able to better understand ourselves as individuals. It thus makes dreaming the vehicle that allows exchange between Man and the Great Spirit.
From time immemorial until today, dreams have always asserted themselves as an expression of a soul's need and are a means of liberation from the chains that bind us. Dreams ensure a balance between body and mind, and we must be attentive to the stories our dreams tell to better understand who we are and what we need.
The Symbolism of the Different Parts of the Dreamcatcher
The first symbolism concerning a part of the dreamcatcher is that of the hoop. Indeed, its round shape would represent the cycle of life as well as that of the planets, the moon, the sun, day and night, or even the seasons.
The second symbolism concerns the spiderweb-shaped weaving which aims to retain bad dreams, which will then be burned by the first rays of the sun in the morning. Depending on the creations, there are different numbers of contact points, all of which have a particular meaning:
- Firstly, 7 contact points represent the 7 foundations of Native American culture, namely: air, spirits, cardinal directions, Earth, cycle, prayer, and name.
- Secondly, 8 contact points represent the 8 legs of the spider, the protective deity of dreams.
- Finally, 13 contact points represent the 13 phases of the moon. Unlike the 12-month calendar, in Native American culture a year is composed of 13 phases, corresponding to 13 lunar cycles. Each moon then has a specific name according to the period it appears.
The third symbolism refers to the bead found in the center of the weaving. According to Native American tribes, it would represent the Great Spirit and the spider. It serves to receive advice and is a spiritual guide that directs us towards our destiny.
Finally, feathers represent the last symbolism. They are the symbol of air, the first and most important of the 7 foundations of Native American culture. Their purpose is to allow dreams to glide between Man and the Great Spirit, acting as the link that unites them.
Today, Dreamcatchers for Original and Warm Interior Decoration
Nowadays, the sacred nature of dreamcatchers has gradually faded, giving way instead to a trendy decorative object. They come in all styles: traditional and inspired by Native American culture, Nordic, in giant formats, or even in the shape of triangles, hearts, and even unicorns to adorn a child's room... The protective effect not being demonstrated, they primarily serve to offer an original and warm decoration in the room of your choice. They can be hung above a bed or crib, or in a living room or above a fireplace to create a relaxing and soothing atmosphere in your home.
We hope you enjoyed this article on the legend and use of dreamcatchers! If you wish to continue enriching your knowledge on the subject of spirituality, we advise you to also read our article about another animal associated with dreamcatchers and many legends: wolves.
