Dream Catcher Native American
Question: 'Is it wrong for a Christian to have a dream catcher?'Answer: Dream catchers have long been a part of Native American religion, lore, and art, originating with the Ojibwe, or Chippewa, and the Lakota, a confederation of seven Sioux tribes. Dream catchers are webbed and beaded circles hung with feathers from the base of the circle. As one might suspect, the purpose of a dream catcher is to catch dreams—that is, to trap bad or evil dreams and channel good dreams to the sleeper. Dream catchers are usually placed in a window or above the bed, allowing the good dreams to drip down the feathers onto the sleeper below.
During the pan-Indian movement in the 60's and 70's, Ojibway dreamcatchers started to get popular in other Native American tribes, even those in disparate places like the Cherokee, Lakota, and Navajo. So dreamcatchers aren't traditional in most Indian cultures, per se, but they're sort of neo-traditional, like frybread. Dream Catchers Brown Handmade Feather Native American Dreamcatcher Circular Net for Car Kids Bed Room Wall Hanging Decoration Decor Ornament Craft, Dia 4.33inch/11cm Length 48cm/18.9inch 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,083. In many Native American tribes, a dream catcher is a handmade willow hoop woven to a web or literally, a net. They can include feathers and beads, and they're traditionally suspended on cradles as a form of armor and protection. Dream catchers can be traced back to the Ojibwes.
Essentially, a dream catcher is intended to manipulate the spirit world. Some people believe in the efficacy of dream catchers. Others are unsure but are superstitious enough to keep one in the bedroom. Still others see dream catchers as part of a cultural history or a piece of art that looks good dangling from a rear-view mirror.
Some people place a feather in the center of the dreamcatcher, to symbolize breath or air. From the cradle board, a baby can watch the air play with the feather and be happily entertained with the blowing feather. Acknowledgement: Native STAND Curricula. Dream Catchers can be made of other materials such as our Rattan hoop in Photo B. Our experience is that the beauty of the Dream Catcher comes from its original uncluttered form and notion that we exist in the presence of two worlds, a physical one and a spiritual one. Learn to make more Native American Crafts in our Craft Tutorials.
Knowing the background of dream catchers and their talisman-like use, many Christians want nothing to do with them. Is such concern warranted? A passage in 1 Corinthians 8 may be helpful. Paul is speaking to Christians living in an extremely pagan culture ruled by superstition, magic, and sacrifices, all done in the name of various idols. The sacrifices were a particular concern, for the meat sacrificed was then sold at market. Some Christians felt eating sacrificed meat was endorsing the sacrifice and therefore inappropriate for a Christian; others believed that, since they were not worshiping the idol themselves, it was not wrong.
Paul’s guidance was this: “There may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”—yet for us there is one God. . . . However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled” (1 Corinthians 8:5–7). Ultimately, “food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do,” yet we must be careful “that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak” (1 Corinthians 8:8, 9). Just as it was with meat associated with idolatry in the 1st century, so it is with superstitious objects in the 21st.
The Christian understands that false gods are nothing and that a dream catcher has no power in itself. The believer in Christ could easily see a dream catcher as nothing more than a craft or a cultural expression. However, before he buys a dream catcher and hangs it in the window, he should consider other people’s reactions to it. Will others see it as a charm to manipulate the spirit world? Will someone assume the one in possession of a dream catcher approves of Indian religions? Keeping a dream catcher is a matter of conscience; as long as it is not used as a good luck charm, it is innocent enough. But consideration must be given to those we seek to minister to.
Hello, I am Jasmine B. Battle, RDH, BSEd. A graduate of Clayton State College in Morrow, Georgia with an AA degree in Dental Hygiene. I graduated from The University of Georgia In Athens, Georgia with a BSED in Education. Go Bulldogs!
I am an enrolled member of the The Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee.
Also, I am a USAF Veteran - served my country with honor.
I design and make Authentic Cherokee Hand Made dream catchers, artifacts and other products here in the USA.
All of my products are designed with color, durability, quality and fashion in mind.
I have chosen BEST quality supplies from USA suppliers for my products so I can provide the BEST items for your enjoyment!
I wanted to design 'different' dream catchers along with 'traditional' designs so I could express my love for color and color combinations.
When I am designing and making my dream catchers, I take into consideration: Color, Symmetry, Detail, Emotion, Thought, Motivation, Alignments, Feeling.....
I Play COOL - SMOOTH JAZZ - ACOUSTIC - SOFT ROCK music when I design and sew them so that GOOD vibrations and energy is incorporated into each dream catcher. Dream Catchers are feng shui instruments that require tuning while making them so music is important in the process.
I have been asked why I use 'plastic' beads (made in the USA). I love the color. Although I do have lots of Glass beads. So, if you want glass beads, you can custom order and I will use glass beads for you.
I also offer 'custom' designs (weddings, baby showers, gender reveal, funerals) so if you need something special for a special ocassion or area of your home, simply give a convo and I will try my best to acommodate your request.
Each dream catcher comes with a Certificate of Authenticity attached along with The Dream Catcher Legend. On the Certificate of Authenticity is the name of the dream catcher along with the Signature of the Artist.
Due to COVID 19, we are very busy with online orders, we ask you to be patient at this time as your order may take a bit longer to make. Thank you for your understanding, Jasmine.
Disclaimer: All designs, photos and likeness are the sole property of Jasmine Battle, BSEd, Cherokee Artist and cannot be copied or reproduced without explicit written permission from Jasmine Battle, BSEd, Cherokee Artist
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I choose the best USA supplies to construct my artistic designs. When I choose a supplier , I think about making the best purchase for the projects I am anticipating or continuing to design. Price, Quality and ability to continue to provide the supplies to me is important.
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I think about the pricing of the supplies along with the quality because I want to offer a quality product to my customers along with an affordable offering.