Dream filter is a amulet typical of the North American Indian culture that, supposedly, would have the power to purify energies, separating "negative dreams" from "positive dreams", in addition to bringing wisdom and luck to those who have it.
Also called "Dream Chaser", "Amazing Nightmares" or "Catasonhos", the dreamcatcher - original English name of the filter of dreams - it is considered a symbol of North American Indian customs and culture.
However, the first dream filters appeared in the Ojibwa tribe, who inhabited the Great Lakes region of North America. Members of this tribe believed that one of the main missions of people during life was to decipher the dreams, as they believed that they brought important messages about the functioning of nature, the universe and the life.
The Ojibwa believed that during the night the air was filled with dreams and energies, good and bad, being the filter of dreams, as its name suggests, a protection against negative energies and dreams.
The dream filter consists of a circle, traditionally made of weeping willow fibers and coated with leather strips, to which several threads are tied, forming a sort of spider's web with a circular opening in the center. A bird feather (preferably an owl, as it means "wisdom") is placed under the web, as are other feathers and ornaments. The feather symbolizes breath and air, an essential element for life.
Good dreams (those that have important messages) would have the ability to go through the circle formed in the center of the web, while all evil energies would be trapped in the threads of the web.
Tradition still suggests that the dream filter be placed in a place that receives sunlight, as all negative dreams that would supposedly be trapped in the strands of the web, as they receive the sun's rays would disappear.
Due to the symbolism that this amulet contains, nowadays many people often get tattoos with images from the filter of dreams, as a way to get protection.
Dream Filter Legend
There are several legends that involve the creation of the dream filter, however, one of the best known tells of an old shaman who would have climbed the top of a mountain to find wisdom.
Reaching the top, he encountered IKTOMI, a magical spirit in the shape of a spider, who would have woven a web of horse hair around a made hoop. of vine, while teaching the shaman important knowledge about birth, death and the good and bad energies that exist spread throughout the air.
According to the legend, the spider would have said to the shaman: "If you work with good forces, you will be guided in the right direction and will be in harmony with nature. Otherwise it will go in a direction that will cause pain and misfortune".
IKTOMI taught the Indian to use the good energies and dreams received through this amulet to help his people to achieve their goals, listening and paying attention to the visions, dreams and ideas that broadcast.
For shamanism, the dream filter serves as a mandala to inspire creativity, imagination and help turn all dreams and goals into reality.
See also the meaning of:
- Shamanism
- Mandala
- Greek eye