What does the Medicine Wheel symbolize?

The medicine wheel (also called the Sun Dance Circle or Sacred Hoop) is an ancient and sacred symbol used by many Tribes. It signifies Earth’s boundary and all the knowledge of the universe. In ceremonies, they can have colors that correspond with the medicine being used.

What does the North represent in the Medicine Wheel?

The next stage of the medicine wheel after the South is the West, which would represent the fall season. The teenagers then become adults and are represented in the West quadrant. The North, which represents the season of Winter, represents the Elders.

What are the 4 main components of the Medicine Wheel?

The Medicine Wheel reminds us that we need to balance all four aspects of our being – the spiritual, emotional, physical and mental aspects. When we become out of balance, we experience disease.

What does the south direction symbolize?

The Cardinal Direction of South embodies the Fire Element and solar energies. It’s the spark of life, intense or gentle heat, and illumination. This manifests with exuberant energy, playfulness, a sense of wonder, passion about simple things and growth. …

What does the direction east mean?

East is the direction toward which the Earth rotates about its axis, and therefore the general direction from which the Sun appears to rise.

What is the meaning of the medicine wheel?

medicine wheel. A symbol used by Native Americans to represent wholeness and balance. The medicine wheel consists of a circle with four quadrants representing spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional planes of existence.

What does a medicine wheel mean?

Medicine Wheel. Medicine wheels or sacred hoops are stone structures constructed by the native peoples of North America and are believed to be used for various astronomical, ritual, healing, and teaching purposes. They were constructed by laying stones in a circular pattern that often looked like a wagon wheel lying on its side.

What is the history of the medicine wheel?

Archeologists believe that the medicine wheel originated in the Late Prehistoric Period, as some of the wheels have been dated to around 4000 B.C. The Majorville Cairn in Alberta is believed to be the oldest, at 5,500-year-old. Originally, the symbol was referred to as the sacred circle, but eventually called medicine wheel by non-Native Americans.

What is medicine wheel teaching?

The Medicine Wheel teaches us that we have four aspects to ourselves: the physical, the mental, the emotional, and the spiritual. Each must be in balance and equally developed in order for us to remain healthy, happy individuals.