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Dream Catchers and Dreams in First Nations Art.
Dream catchers, more specifically dreams, are often the inspiration behind the art of the people of the First Nations. Many times people will look at a particular figure or string of events on a totem or a print and wonder, “Where did they come up with that?” The answer is often quite literally, “while they were sleeping.”Psychologists have had a field day in the past with the significance of dreams. The general philosophy is that they represent the thoughts that prey on the subconscious during the day. At night, when the clutter of the day’s events is gone and the conscious mind is clear, these thoughts are then able to rise to the forefront and make themselves known.
The people of the First Nations have a much different interpretation. They are interpreted as acts of guidance from the spirit world, particularly when the dreams are waking ones (or daydreams). It is not at all unusual for a dream to plot the course of a person’s destiny, guiding them along their path to their place in life.
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Rather than random acts of the subconscious, spurred on by the person’s own individual personality, dreams are believed to be the product of outside guidance.
These dreams are then transposed over into their art, where they are able to take physical form. Prints may depict a particular scene from a dream, especially if that dream is able to tie back directly to First Nations mythology.
Jewelry can be made depicting the figures from a dream or, more often, with stones and talismans of particular significance in the interest of warding off or preparing for the events shown in a dream.
The most widely known incarnation of dreams in First Nations Art is not the depiction of their dreams, but rather the act of filtering out those dreams which would be evil or unpleasant.
These are dream catchers, pieces of first nations art that have gained an increasing amount of popularity in mainstream culture. There are numerous stories surrounding the creation of the first dream catcher, but it is believed that if hung in the window of a dwelling it will catch evil dreams as they come in at night before they are able to reach the thoughts of the sleeper.
The very design of a dream catcher symbolizes its function. For children, they are made out of willow. Eventually the willow will collapse, and the dream catcher will be broken. This is to symbolize the temporary nature of the dreams of youth.
Adults create theirs out of woven fibers that will last indefinitely. The feather in the middle of a child’s dream catcher entertains the little one as it dances in the breeze while at the same time emphasizing the importance of good air and reminding them of the significance of the feather.
Despite the fact that many commercial dream catchers are sold adorned with feathers (generally imitation), adult versions do not use them. Instead, they contain four stones intended to represent the directions of north, south, east and west. This was done to eliminate the sale of the feathers of the sacred birds, something that is forbidden by law. You can learn more by visiting this dream catchers site.
Dreams play a central role in the culture and spiritual life of the people of the First Nations, and it is little wonder that they are often represented in their art as well.
The mysticism and mystery of First Nations art serve to remind us all that regardless of our beliefs, our spirituality and our heritage our dreams are important, and they have a significant place in our lives.
