الخميس، 14 مايو 2015

Understanding The Native American Cross Necklace

By Tammie Caldwell


Any adult who adorns themselves in jewelry containing symbols that they have not researched runs the risk of looking completely foolish when friends and family ask them about the piece. Society tolerates this sort of ignorance from children and teenagers, but adults are expected to show more respect. This is even more pertinent when the symbolism is something like the Native American cross necklace.

The symbolism of intersecting lines can vary from one tribe to another, making research on the subject a bit daunting. However, if one intends to wear such a piece, being able to answer questions they may get from friends and family shows that they cared enough to learn about the Mississippian tribal people known as the Mound Builders. While the symbol appears to have originated from this group, it is still widely used among various tribes to this day.

These original Americans were a very spiritual group of people, and their use of symbolism as sacred ritual tools, some of which can be seen in museums even now, is well established. The symbol, when combined with other lines and shapes, may have had altered meanings to these people. This is the origin of their written words, as the first Americans were also some of the earliest people to develop an alphabet, and were the first to have a printed newspaper.

To the Mound Builders, this symbol represented the division between dimensions, also known as the Four Worlds. These were the upper world, or Heaven, the underworld where the dead live, and the world of physical reality. Their artwork often depicted crossing lines within a circle, containing another circle within which was meant to show where these dimensions intersect, in the center.

The most rudimentary of this equilateral symbolism, contained within a circle, has roughly the same meaning as the Celtic variety. It represents the four elements which emanated from God and created the Universe. Some tribes also use it to represent the four tribes of mankind, coming here to keep balance in the world.

Many people know this symbol as the Medicine Wheel, which is frequently seen in modern artwork. The term Medicine Wheel was given by the settlers who came to the Americas from Europe, and was not a term used by the Natives at all. The wheel is often seen with four separate colors which vary greatly among differing tribes and family clans.

As with many circle symbols, it often represents perfection, or infinity. Each arm of the wheel has a separate corresponding color, which is variable, but when the colors are utilized it represents a Swastika. The circle itself is meant to be viewed as a sphere, and regarded as floating in space rather than being a fixed object.

While the uses and meanings of this symbol vary to a great degree, those still living within the culture of these people retain the notion that a Medicine Wheel can be created by an individual, each quadrant having a meaning that is personal to them. This meaning given to an adornment mimics the ways that ancient humans maintained a connection with what we might call God. By giving such a piece specific attributes, it reminds the wearer to emanate that energy in their daily life.




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