Ojibwe Dream Catcher For Sale

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Celebrated for their striking geometric spider-web design, the dream catcher was originally the product of Ojibwe Indian culture, as a means of ultimate talismanic protection. Its origins lie in Ojibwe legend, which tells of a Spider Woman who protected their people from evil forces. The dream catcher was created to honor this legend, designed as a symbolic means to snare evil forces and particularly bad dreams.

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Dream Catchers for Sale Online Dreamcatcher.ltd offers cool dream catchers for sale. Our store has one of the most complete collections of these unique accessories. Anyone who wants to know where to buy dream catchers online can visit Dreamcatcher.ltd. Being our customer, you are helping to preserve traditional craftsmanship that is vital to cultural identity. What Is a Dream Catcher? According to Ojibwe legend about dreamcatchers, it is believed that each carefully woven web will catch your dreams in the night air. The bad spirit dreams will become entangled in the web and disappear on the breeze of the new day. Ojibwe dream catcher legend When the Ojibwa Nation dispersed to the four corners of North America, to fulfill a prophecy, Asibikaashi (the Spider Woman) had a difficult time making her journey to all those cradle boards, so the mothers, sisters, and grandmothers took up the practice of weaving the magical webs for the new babies using willow. Dream catchers actually originated with the Ojibwe group and were later adopted across the continent. Dream catchers have a number of cultural and spiritual purposes, such as catching bad spirits like a spiderweb, thus giving sleeping people, particularly children, protection from nightmares and unpleasant thoughts. Ojibwe Dream Catcher History Long ago in the ancient world of the Ojibwe Nation, the Clans were all located in one general area of that place known as Turtle Island. This is the way that the old Ojibwe storytellers say how Asibikaashi (Spider Woman) helped Wanabozhoo bring giizis (sun) back to the people.

The creation of a dream catcher traditionally begins with a hoop constructed from willow. On to this hoop a loose, woven mesh, akin to a spider web, of fiber made from either animal tissues or plant materials. Following this weaving, the catcher is decorated with both symbolic and sacred objects, such as feathers or beads. Later spread to other tribes, the dream catcher is recognized today as a powerful and persevering symbol of American Indian history that continues to delight.


Quick Facts

  • In the Ojibwe language, a dream catcher is referred to as a “asabikeshiinh,” which translates roughly to “spider”
  • Though the dream catcher carries far back into Ojibwe lore, the first mention in print of their existence was made in anthropologist Francis Densmore’s “Chippewa Customs,” published in 1929
  • While the connotations of dream catchers lead to many being suspended over or near beds, they can also be given a symbol of general good luck upon events such as marriage

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A dream catcher is pretty self-explanatory, right? Yep, you’d be correct in thinking that dream catchers are made to snatch away bad dreams… but there’s so much more to them than that.

These beautiful Native American talismans have a rich history, steeped in tradition. They’re not just eye-catching displays in cheap gift stores!

Anyone who has a dream catcher or wants to buy one should read this article first. You need to know the true meaning of dream catchers to respect and admire the culture behind them.

What is a Dream Catcher?

Just in case you’re really clueless, a dream catcher is a small round talisman that’s hung by your bed to capture bad dreams and/or deliver good dreams and thoughts while you sleep.

Traditional, authentic dream catchers were made from wooden hoops, with thread webbing, handmade beads, leather, and feathers. Organic, natural materials are essential. They would be a few inches wide at most, and certainly wouldn’t be the bright, colorful and over-the-top dream catchers you find in cheap holiday gift shops.

The huge, plastic dream catchers with vividly bright faux feathers are a commercialized version of the original Native American dream catcher – more on why you shouldn’t buy these below.

How the traditional dreamcatcher works varies slightly from one legend to another, but the meaning is always similar: to catch harmful thoughts or bad dreams and keep you safe with good dreams and positive thoughts while you sleep. Dream catchers were originally made for very small children and babies, so they could be hung just above their cribs.

Over the decades, dream catchers have taken on new meanings – some with respect for the traditions, others without – and become symbols for various movements, such as the non-violent Pan-Indianism Movement.

The Beautiful Legends Behind Dream Catchers

Various Native American cultures have dream catchers, or a version of them, woven into their traditions. But it is the Ojibwe culture (indigenous people originally from northern midwestern USA and Canada) that the majority of historians agree the dream catcher originated from.

The legend focuses on Asibikaashi, the spider woman. She was the spiritual protector of the Ojibwe people, protecting the children from harm.

As their people spread further across the land, Asibikaashi found it harder to protect everyone from far away. So, the dream catcher was created.

The web within the willow hoop, like a spider’s web, would catch any bad thoughts or spirits lingering around – not specifically for bad dreams.

From here, the legend branches out with different meanings and stories depending on who’s telling the history of dream catchers.

Many believe that the dreamcatcher will catch bad dreams in the web, while good dreams filter through the hole, gem or bead in the center. When the first rays of the sun touch the dreamcatcher in the morning, those trapped bad dreams are destroyed.

Lakota Legends

Similarly to Ojibwe, the Lakota legends about dreamcatchers begin with a spiritual being associated with spiders. Iktomi created the dreamcatcher to catch good ideas on the web so they won’t be lost, but let bad ideas filter through the central hole and simply pass by their people unharmed.

The dreamcatcher itself is also a symbol – the perfectly round hoop is a symbol of the circle of life, the sun, and the moon. The soft, downy feathers (often owl feathers) are the ladders that good dreams float down into your mind.

Furthermore, the number of points where the webbed thread touches the inside of the hoop is symbolic. 13 points represent the phases of the moon, 8 for the spider woman’s legs, 7 for the prophesies, 6 for the eagle, and 5 for a star.

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Sacred beads and tokens can also be added amongst the feathers.

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Finally, the gems or stones in the dreamcatcher can represent good dreams or, if there’s a single stone, represent the creator of the world.

Why Understanding the Symbolism and History of Dream Catchers is Important

Dreamcatchers are closely tied to heart-warming and noble legends of Native Americans – so is it right for people around the world to buy dreamcatchers on a whim or simply because they’re “pretty”?

The dreamcatcher should be a symbol of unity among Native American communities, not an over-commercialized and misused plastic decoration, made in China, and eventually forgotten in a landfill site.

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This is where cultural appropriation comes in. It is controversial, and frankly offensive in our opinion, to adopt a piece of tradition from one culture without even trying to understand and respect the origins and meaning behind it.

Cultural appreciation, on the other hand, should be commended. Owning a dreamcatcher, understanding and respecting the meaning behind it, and supporting the Native American people is to be commended.

That’s why we recommend you buy dreamcatchers from traditional Native American craftspeople – you’ll find them for sale in Indian territory across the US and Canada, just look for tribal giftshops or attend Native Indian events to learn more about the culture as well.

For online resources to buy authentic dreamcatchers from, check out this list from Native Languages.

Gifting dreamcatchers to newly born babies and young children is a beautiful way to honor the original dream catcher meaning and respect the legends behind them by passing down the story from one generation to the next.

Summary – Dream Catcher Meaning

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If you’ve been looking for a scientific explanation of how dreamcatchers work, you’re going to be disappointed. Dream catchers are stunning talismans with a beautiful history and meaning behind them.

The simple act of respecting and honoring the tradition of your dreamcatcher as you hang it above your bed is sure to leave you with a smile on your face and good dreams in your mind!

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If you want to buy a dream catcher, you can check the best seller from Amazon, Walmart and even Aliexpress (very cheap)

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Just remember to:

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Ojibwe Dream Catcher For Sale

Ojibwe Dream Catcher For Sale Items

  • Learn about the dreamcatcher you’re buying, and the symbolism behind it.
  • Respect and appreciate the culture that brought you the dream catcher.
  • Buy traditional, hand-crafted dreamcatchers from Native American craftspeople.