Eagle Feathers and the Sacred Meaning to Lakota People
The eagle is a winged symbol for the Lakota people.
It is the strongest and bravest of all birds. For this reason, the eagle and its feathers have been chosen to symbolize what is highest bravest strongest holiest..
An eagle’s feathers are given to another in honor, and the feathers are worn with dignity and pride. They are treated with great respect. When an eagle feather is dropped during a dance, a special ceremony is performed to pick it up again, and the owner is careful to never drop it again.
An eagle feather is also used to adorn the sacred pipe because it is a symbol of the Great Spirit who is above all and from whom all strength and power flows. Eagle feathers or wings are used in special ways.
When they are held over someone’s head, it means the person is brave or is wished bravery and happiness. To wave it over everyone present means everyone is wished peace, prosperity and happiness.
Each time the warrior earned a feather, he would either wear it (but he only wore a couple into battle) or put it on a pole used for special occasions. Once he had collected enough feathers, they were then made into a headdress. Because each feather had a special meaning, binding them together in a headdress made that Indian headdress even more special.
Only the men, closest friends of the warrior, were involved in making the headdress. The Indian chiefs also “earned” each of their feathers. The most prized of all feathers to receive for an Indian headdress was the Golden Eagle feather. Because the Indians saw the eagle as a messenger of God, this feather could only be earned through hardship, loyalty, and strength.
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I am Grateful for the opportunity to speak amongst my people. I say this with Great pride,for I am a holder of 2 Golden Eagle feathers given to me by my elders. I’m honored to wear them to show my feathers as it reflects the person who I am. To’ksa’ he’ 🪶🪶
[…] Hollow Horn Bear family and prove personal possession prior to 1906. . . . For Chief Duane Hollow Horn Bear and his family, the return of the shirt is like the return of the great-grandfather […]
Love the native American people but why kill beautiful Eagles?? Not judging, just asking as I would never want to kill one of God’s creatures unless it was food on your table and it would be killed humanely! The white people (and I am White) raise animals and kill them, not in a humane way and raise them all stuffed in cages! Makes sick…Mankind has ruined this Earth!