Tools and Objects

Español

Have you read this first?

Sacred Objects
The Pipe
Ceremonial Paint
The Drum
The Eagle-bone Whistle
The Drying Rack

__________________________________________________________________

Sacred Objects

The Indian actually identifies himself, or becomes, the quality or principle of the being or thing which comes to him in a vision, whether it be a beast, a bird, one of the elements, or really any aspect of creation. In order that this power may never leave him, he always carries with him some material form representing the animal or object from which he has received his power. These objects have often been incorrectly called "fetishes", whereas they actually correspond more precisely to what the Christian calls "guardian angels", since for the Indian, the animals and birds, and all things, are the reflections —in a material form— of the Divine principles. The Indian is only attached to the form for the sake of the principle that is contained within the form.

The bowl of the pipe is of red stone; it is the Earth. Carved into the stone and facing the center is this buffalo calf who represents all the four-leggeds who live upon your Mother. The stem of the pipe is of wood, and this represents all that grows upon the Earth. And these twelve feathers which hang here where the stem fits into the bowl are from Wambli Galeska, the Spotted Eagle, and they represent the eagle and all the wingeds of the air. All these peoples and all these things of the universe are joined to you who smoke the pipe —all send their voices to Wakan Tanka, the Great Spirit.

In the complete ritual of the pipe, there are three distinct phases: the purification with the smoke of a sacred herb; the "expansion" of the pipe so that it includes the entire universe; and finally, what could be called the "identity", which is the sacrifice of the whole universe in the fire.

In filling a pipe, all space (represented by the offerings to the powers of the six directions) and all things (represented by the grains of tobacco) are contracted within a single point (the bowl or heart of the pipe), so that the pipe contains, or really is, the universe. But since the pipe is the universe, it is also man, and the one who fills a pipe should identify himself with it, thus not only establishing the center of the universe, but also his own center. He so "expands" that the six directions of space are actually brought within himself. It is by this "expansion" that a man ceases to be a part, a fragment, and becomes whole or holy; he shatters the illusion of separateness. 

I will make an offering and send a voice to the Spirit of the World, that it may help me to be true. See, I fill this sacred pipe with the bark of the red willow. But before we smoke it, you must see how it is made and what it means.

These four ribbons hanging here on the stem are the four quarters of the universe. The black one is for the West where the thunder beings live to send us rain; the white one for the North, whence comes the great white cleansing wind; the red one for the East, whence springs the light and where the Morning Star lives to give men wisdom; the yellow for the South, whence come the summer and the power to grow. But these four spirits are only one Spirit after all.

This eagle feather here is for that One which is like a father, and also it is for the thoughts of men that should rise high as eagles do.

This hide upon the mouthpiece here, which should be bison hide, is for the earth, from whence we came and at whose breast we suck as babies all our lives, along with all the animals and birds and trees and grasses. And because it means all this, and more than any man can understand, this pipe is holy.  

Among the Sioux there have always been three different uses for pipes. The least important kind is one that is used for social purposes. It is filled with regular tobacco and smoked with friends. Anyone can smoke it.

A higher kind is the personal pipe that we use to make and continue friendships, and it is the one that is filled and sent as an offering to a medicine man when his services are needed.

The third and most important kind of pipe is one that is used by its owner for ceremonial purposes, such as the sweatlodge rites, vision quests, and the Sun Dance. It is also the one used by the holy men and medicine men for their private rituals, for healing patients, and as they lead the various tribal ceremonies.  

Each grain of tobacco placed in the pipe bowl becomes something God has created, so that when the pipe bowl is filled, all of creation is held within it and made a part of the pipe ceremony. Its sweet smell when burned is welcomed by Wakan Tanka and by Grandfather, and He gladly receives the prayers that go up to him in and with the smoke.

The stem stands for straightness of speech, mind and body. Animals or other creatures carved on the stem stand for, and thus pull into a ceremony, all of the four-legged creatures of the earth. Eagle feathers tied to the stem stand for the winged creatures above. Colored ribbons stand for the four cardinal directions.  

When the ceremonial pipe is used properly it has enormous power. There are fixed rules to be carefully observed in lighting it, passing it from one person to another, in disposing of the ashes, and in doing the pipe ceremony proper, in which the smoked pipe is pointed to the six sacred directions. When these things are done correctly, they release the powers that reside in the directions, where since the beginning of time they have awaited opportunities to promote the good of all creation. When the pipe is used correctly, what happens is like the opening of the flood gates of a dam that contains the water of life, or it is like throwing a switch that releases the power that energizes the universe.

As the Pipe Ceremony is done, the pipe first of all opens the gates to release the powers, and then becomes the very channel through which the powers flow, moving from the six directions to the one who prays, blessing the person, and then through the person and out to bless the rest of creation.

Those who smoke the sacred pipe with understanding and reverence will receive uncommon help.

The pipe consists of four parts: the stone bowl, which stands for (is) the earth; the stem, which is everything that grows upon the earth; the animal carvings on the stem, which are the four-legged creatures; and the eagle feathers and pipe smoke, which together are everything that flies and lives above.

Most of the medicine men at Rosebud and Pine Ridge see the pipe as standing for the union of God and every created thing, because it brings everything together. The red color of the catlinite stone is the blood that is common to all things. Orval Looking Horse described the pipe bowl as the female, and the stem as the male. When the two pieces are joined, it is the union of all things in renewing life.  

Their limbs were painted black from the knee and elbow down, and yellow from there up, for the growing power is rooted in mystery like the night, and reaches lightward. Seeds sprout in the darkness of the ground before they know the summer and the day. In the night of the womb the spirit quickens into flesh.  

The faces of the four virgins were painted yellow, the color of the South, the source of life. One had a daybreak star in red upon her forehead. One had a crescent moon in blue, for the power of woman grows with the moon and comes and goes with it. One had the sun upon her forehead, and around the mouth and eyebrows of the fourth a big blue circle was painted to mean the nation’s hoop.  

On the back of each of the elk men was painted the nation’s hoop, for upon the backs of men the nation is carried, and in the center of each hoop hung a single eagle feather for the people. They had yellow masks upon their faces, for behind the woman’s power of life is hidden the power of man.

By being painted, the people have been changed. They have undergone a new birth, and with this they have new responsibilities, new obligations, and a new relationship. This transformation is so sacred that it must be undergone in darkness; it must be hidden from the view of the people. But when the curtain is taken aside, they come forth pure, free from ignorance, and must now have forgotten all troubles of the past.

We paint our faces black for the dance that is held when we return from the warpath, for by going on the warpath, we know that we have done something bad, and we wish to hide our faces from Wakan Tanka.

The round form of the drum represents the whole universe, and its steady strong beat is the pulse, the heart, throbbing at the center of the universe. It is as the voice of Wakan Tanka, and this sound stirs us and helps us to understand the mystery and power of all things.

When you blow the whistle it is the voice of the Spotted Eagle. Our Grandfather, Wakan Tanka, always hears it, for you see, it is really His own voice.

It is made from two forked sticks and one straight one, and all are painted blue, for the drying rack represents heaven, and it is our prayer that the racks always be as full as heaven.