Thursday, December 8, 2011

SYMBOLISM OF THE EAGLE FEATHER, A Lumbee Story

http://www.indigenouspeople.net/eaglesym.htm


In the beginning, the Great Spirit above gave to the animals and birds wisdom and knowledge and the power to talk to men. He sent these creatures to tell man that he showed himself through them. They would teach a chosen man sacred songs and dance, as well as, much ritual and lore.


The creature most loved by the Great Spirit was the eagle, for he tells the story of life. The Eagle, as you know, has only two eggs, and all living things in the world are divided into two. Here is man and woman, male and female and this is true with animals, birds, trees, flowers and so on. All things have children of two kinds so that life may continue. Man has two eyes, two hands, two feet and he has a body and soul, substance and shadow.


Through his eyes, he sees pleasant and unpleasant scenes, through his nostrils he smells good and bad odors, with his ears he hears joyful news and words that make him sad. His mind is divided between good and evil. His right hand he may often use for evil, such as war or striking a person in anger. But his left hand, which is near his heart, is always full of kindness. His right foot may lead him in the wrong path, but his left foot always leads him the right way, and so it goes; he has daylight and darkness, summer and winter, peace and war, and life and death.


In order to remember this lesson of life, look to the great eagle, the favorite bird of the Great Spirit. The eagle feather is divided into two parts, part light, and part dark. This represents daylight and darkness, summer and winter, peace and war, and life and death. So that you may remember what I have told you, look well on the eagle, for his feathers, too, tell the story of life.


Look at the feathers I wear upon my hand, the one on the right is large and perfect and is decorated; this represents man. The one on my left is small and plain; this represents woman. The eagle feather is divided into two parts, dark and white. This represents daylight and darkness, summer and winter. For the white tells of summer, when all is bright and the dark represents the dark days of winter.


My children, remember what I tell you. For it is YOU who will choose the path in life you will follow -- the good way, or the wrong way.


Sharon Locklear, publisher of Metrolina Pow Wow

1 comment:

Sharon Henderson said...

Hi, My name is Sharon Henderson, Married To my Husband Edward E. Henderson for 40 years.His Family are Cherokee Indian., and They lived On Cherokee Indian Land, where He lived, and There are Cherokee Burial Ground/Graves Across the Creek Near Ware Place, Hwy 25, Greenville, County,S.C."Edward Earl Henderson", Born February 15th 1948,Born 11th. Of 12 Children, "Ruby Henderson Allen", "John Robert "Bub" Henderson", "Mildred Midge Henderson","Harold Henderson","Adger Lee Henderson","Thelma Louis Henderson Taylor", "Vera Ann Henderson Davis","Edward Earl Henderson", & "Betty Jean Henderson Armstrong", Parents "John Chesley Henderson" & Born 1905 Son of "John Henry Henderson"& Minnie Harvy Henderson", Mother Cora Lee Smith Henderson" on Born 1909 In Hillside, Greenville County, S.C. Land was Sold on Chandler Road, Pelzer, S.C, In Greenville County, S.C The Land Was Sold Before We Knew. We Visited The Graves In June, 2016, and Owners Children Had Removed Arrowheads From Around Grave, That Was Hard To See, But, We Ask Their Parents To Protect The Marked Cherokee Indian Graves, Where There Was Still A Carved Headstone. We Asked Them To Honor & Respect What was Our Forefathers Resting Place, and The Parents & Children Agreed To Not Allow anyone to Damage Their Resting Site! God Bless Our People Who Are With Our Savior in Heaven.If You Can Help With Ancestors, Or Know Who Can, Please Call Or Write "Edward & Sharon Henderson", 6001,S.Kings Hwy. Unit N112, Myrtle Beach, S.C.29575 Edward's Ancestors Papers & Their Names, Births & Death Dated Back To Early 1800's Are Missing, With Edwards Great Grandmother "Minnie Harvey Henderson",If you know how we can get Them, and Add My Husband "Edward Earl Henderson" To The Henderson Roll. God Bless All Please Call Me Anytime,843-340-6047 & Email (Sharhenders@aol.Com) If You Re Any Relation To "John Henry Henderson" & Wife, "Minnie Harvy Henderson" Parents to "John Chesley Henderson", Wife "Cora Smith Henderson" Mother. (WE ONCE WERE MANY, BUT NOW WE ARE FEW) SEPTEMBER 13,2016