Dreamcatcher

What is a dream catcher? 

Dreamcatcher is an Indian amulet which is supposed to protect a sleeper from evil spirits and bad dreams. A dream catcher is a net framed in a circle willow branch. Native Americans believe that a dream catcher lets positive dreams come through its hole in the centre while negative dreams get trapped in the net and expire with the first rays of the sun. 

Dream catcher in the Greek shop

Where should it be in the room?

A dreamcatcher is usually placed in the bedroom either near the window or above the bed. Dreamcatchers may be decorated with beads and feathers. Nowadays they can be bought or handmade, though some Native Americans do not approve of such dream catcher commerce as the item is  considered sacred in their culture. 

scheme of a dream catcher

Lakota People's Legend 

Long ago a spiritual leader of Lakota People had a vision on a high mountain. In the vision the leader saw an ancient man of wisdom in the form of a spider. As the spider spoke it took the willow branch with feathers, beads and horsehair and bent it into a circle, the symbol of life. While spinning the web, the spider shared knowledge of the circle of life. At first, individuals begin their lives as infants, next, they grow up into children, after that they become adults and, finally, they get old. At the old age people have to be treated like infants thus completing the life circle. After imparting the idea, the spider gave a perfect framed net with a hole in the centre to the spiritual leader of Lakota People. The web would help his people gain positive experience and get rid of bad ideas, dreams and other evil issues. After coming back from the high mountain, the leader passed on a message to his people and since then a lot of Indian people have been keeping a dream catching amulet above the head of their beds.

dreamcatchers in a gift shop