GOD'S EYE -- THE SUNby: Wambdi Wicasa |
| The Great Circle is the Presence of God. Red is the color of the North. Red is tension. Red is conflict. But from the east comes the Sun, very bright and overpowering. It is Red at first, but it cuts down the Red. It brings the Yellow, the color of the South, that is, Peace. These are the words of Black Elk as he explains how to make and how to reverence the Symbol of God's Presence. "The light of the Sun enlightens the entire Universe; and as the flames of the Sun come to us in the morning, so comes the goodness of Wakantanka (Wakan --Holy, Tanka -- Great), by which all creatures are enlightened. It is because of this that the four-leggeds and the wingeds always rejoice at the coming of the light. We can all see in the day, and this seeing is sacred, for it represents the sight of that real world which we may have only through the eye of the heart. When you wear this Sacred Sign in the Dance, you should remember that you are bringing Light into the Universe, and if you concentrate on these meanings, you will gain great benefit." * * * cf. Charles Alexander Eastman's THE SOUL OF THE INDIAN Our women painted Tatanka's robe, a precious gift to honored men. "Wear this Sacred Sign in the Dance." Our Buffalo were killed. You did not kill our mind or memory. Our women took scraps. Rainbows of color. They found God. God remains. His sign is here. "Indians are idolaters. They worship the Sun. "Wasicu words. But Indians are wise. "Let's call it a Star. To the Wasicu the Star is Holy. That way we keep our Sun. We do not forget God. He does not forget us." Do you know what the Star-Quilt is? |