Most all North American Native People attach special significance to the Eagle and its feathers.
1-Both Bald and Golden Eagles (and their feathers) are highly revered and considered sacred within Native traditions, culture and religion. They are honoured with great care and shown the deepest respect. They represent honesty, truth, majesty, strength, courage, wisdom, power and freedom. As they roam the sky, they are believed to have a special connection to Creator.
2-According to traditional Native beliefs, the Creator made all the birds of the sky when the World was new. Of all the birds, the Creator chose the Eagle to be the leader... the Master of the Sky.
3-The Eagle flies higher and sees better than any other bird. Therefore, its perspective is different from other creations that are held close to the Earth, and it is closer to the Creator. The Creator also has a different perspective of what occurs below in this world of physical things in which humankind resides. The Eagle spends more time in the higher element of Father Sky than other birds, and Father Sky is an element of the Spirit.
4-The Eagle is considered to be a messenger to Creator. It was given the honour of carrying the prayers of man and woman between the World of Earth and the World of Spirit, where the Creator and grandfathers/grandmothers reside. To wear or hold an Eagle feather causes the Creator to take immediate notice. With the Eagle feather, the Creator is honoured in the highest way.
5-For Native people an Eagle feather is used in ceremonies to call upon the Creator and to command respect and focus on the situation at hand.
6-In a talking circle the person holding the Eagle Feather is the only person who can speak and once that person is finished he or she passes the feather on to the next person who speaks and again attention to the words being spoken by the new individual is commanded.
1-Both Bald and Golden Eagles (and their feathers) are highly revered and considered sacred within Native traditions, culture and religion. They are honoured with great care and shown the deepest respect. They represent honesty, truth, majesty, strength, courage, wisdom, power and freedom. As they roam the sky, they are believed to have a special connection to Creator.
2-According to traditional Native beliefs, the Creator made all the birds of the sky when the World was new. Of all the birds, the Creator chose the Eagle to be the leader... the Master of the Sky.
3-The Eagle flies higher and sees better than any other bird. Therefore, its perspective is different from other creations that are held close to the Earth, and it is closer to the Creator. The Creator also has a different perspective of what occurs below in this world of physical things in which humankind resides. The Eagle spends more time in the higher element of Father Sky than other birds, and Father Sky is an element of the Spirit.
Photo: Gene Brave Rock
* Blood Tribe of the Blackfeet Confederacy
4-The Eagle is considered to be a messenger to Creator. It was given the honour of carrying the prayers of man and woman between the World of Earth and the World of Spirit, where the Creator and grandfathers/grandmothers reside. To wear or hold an Eagle feather causes the Creator to take immediate notice. With the Eagle feather, the Creator is honoured in the highest way.
5-For Native people an Eagle feather is used in ceremonies to call upon the Creator and to command respect and focus on the situation at hand.
6-In a talking circle the person holding the Eagle Feather is the only person who can speak and once that person is finished he or she passes the feather on to the next person who speaks and again attention to the words being spoken by the new individual is commanded.
Boozhoo My Fellow Anishinabe!
Aanii Boozhoo Ray. Mino Bimaudizwin!
Ok got it ... Eagle to God/Creator.... respect & honor to God and to others.... connecting to God in a way... oh it's very good!!! I love the idea of passing the eagle feather for a turn to speak... I guess I'll add that feathers...they're a reminder that birds can fly and we don't physically...but we are blessed to fly in the spirit when we are filled with hope!!! Feathers are master pieces of God's ingenuity, some are soft, some are straight & yet aerodynamically shaped, so light & sturdy & used as a writing tool, again to let the spirit fly... And most of all for me.... yes somehow, when I pick up a feather, that feeling comes to me that God is watching, caring for me... as the scriptures says ...He cares for us, more than many sparrows... Amen!
In South America, these attributes were/are given to the Condor.
This is a nice article. Can you please feature an article on the best way to care for and preserve your feathers? Thank you.
A quick and simple primer on "Feather Etiquette". There are many Teachings about the Feather !!! One could write a book on it !!!
love this post
Caroline, always cover your feathers with red cloth(power, protection, love). Prior to using feathers in a ceremony sprinkle water on the feathers(provides water for the spirit of the bird), sprinkle a little tobacco on the feathers in Gratitude with a prayer (also gives strength to thr birds spirit). After ceremony sage the feathers, and return to red cloth,...its also usually good to store in a case.
What is the significance of Three Feathers