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.
The Mound Builders saw the intersecting lines as barriers between the Underworld where the dead live, the physical world, and the upper world, which our culture often describes as Heaven. Their artwork often depicted these lines as coming together in the center of a circle. Within the center of this circle, these dimensions were shown to intersect.
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.
This came to be named by the European settlers as a Medicine Wheel. For many tribal groups in this country, it is still called by that same name, but the colors and meanings vary greatly. However, it is a symbol which continues to hold great significance to these people.
Within the circle, it may represent continuity, perfection, or infinity. When such artwork is made with colors, each arm or quadrant of the wheel has a particular color that can correspond to a cardinal direction or an element. When seen with the four colored quadrants, it becomes quite clear that it is the same as the Swastika symbol that originated from the ancient Hindu people.
What meaning is attributed to the symbol can relate to a tribal or clan group, or it can be a personal totem. When wearing this symbol, it is recommended that the wearer assign their own spiritual attributes to the item. This gives the jewelry greater significance for the wearer, and shows a great deal of respect for the ancient cultures who passed their heritage to us.
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.
The Mound Builders saw the intersecting lines as barriers between the Underworld where the dead live, the physical world, and the upper world, which our culture often describes as Heaven. Their artwork often depicted these lines as coming together in the center of a circle. Within the center of this circle, these dimensions were shown to intersect.
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.
This came to be named by the European settlers as a Medicine Wheel. For many tribal groups in this country, it is still called by that same name, but the colors and meanings vary greatly. However, it is a symbol which continues to hold great significance to these people.
Within the circle, it may represent continuity, perfection, or infinity. When such artwork is made with colors, each arm or quadrant of the wheel has a particular color that can correspond to a cardinal direction or an element. When seen with the four colored quadrants, it becomes quite clear that it is the same as the Swastika symbol that originated from the ancient Hindu people.
What meaning is attributed to the symbol can relate to a tribal or clan group, or it can be a personal totem. When wearing this symbol, it is recommended that the wearer assign their own spiritual attributes to the item. This gives the jewelry greater significance for the wearer, and shows a great deal of respect for the ancient cultures who passed their heritage to us.
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