The term "Dreamcatcher" has become a common household word in the Americas, where the beautifully woven objects originated. Stephen King named one of his books after it, a popular video game publishing company adopted the name, and driving through states such as Oklahoma, miniature versions can be found hanging on nearly every rearview mirror. But what is less known is the origin, and true meaning, of the delicate, feathered hoops that have come to be one of the most popular icons of Native American culture.

The Original Legend

The most widely accepted legend of the Dreamcatcher's origin comes from the Lakota tribe. An old spiritual leader was visited by the trickster spirit Ikotmi on a mountain, who appeared in the shape of a spider. The elder had with him a willow hoop decorated with beads and feathers and other offerings he had brought along. Iktomi began to spin a web inside this hoop, while he spoke to the elder about the cycle of life, and harmony with nature. He also told how there were many forces, both good and bad, that influence this harmony. When he was done spinning his web inside the hoop, Iktomi told the elder to pass on the knowledge to his tribe, and that this Sacred Hoop would help his people.

What is a Dreamcatcher?

A Dreamcatcher is made of a hoop, generally a perfect circle, although sometimes they can be found in ovals and teardrop-shapes. Traditionally, the hoops were made out of various types of willow twigs. The wood is gathered fresh, then while they are still pliable, molded into a circle and left to dry in that shape. Nowadays, the hoops are often made of metal and covered in strips of leather. Inside the hoop, a circle is woven out of threading or sinew, leaving a clear, smaller open circle in the very center. The Dreamcatcher is then decorated with other natural objects, such as feathers. Traditionally, a single semi-precious stone would be added, but only one, to symbolize the one creator of life.

The Purpose of Dreamcatchers

It's believed by the Ojibawe people that dreams fill the night sky, and a sleeping person is prone to the dreams, both good and bad. The majority of tribes say that the purpose of hanging a Dreamcatcher over a person's bed, or just inside the bedroom window, is to filter these dreams. The bad dreams get stuck in the woven netting of the hoop, while the good dreams find their way through the open center of the Dreamcatcher and make it to the person. When the sun rises, its light destroys all the dreams caught in the net from the previous night. However, the Lakota see it as the opposite: the good stay in the web and with the person throughout their life, and the bad pass through. However, the general message is the same: filtering the good dreams and vision from the bad, and protecting the bearer. So if you're having trouble with nightmares, perhaps all you need is a Dreamcatcher!

http://www.justdreamcatchers.com/legend.html
http://www.dream-catchers.org/dream-catcher-history.php
http://healing.about.com/cs/native/a/dreamcatcher.htm
Unlock Your Secret Dreams, by Craig Hamilton-Parker