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Dream Catchers




In Native American cultures, a dreamcatcher or dream catcher is a handmade (usually willow) hoop with a woven web or nets inside. Some have decorative beads, charms, or feathers. It is believed that placing dream catchers above the place where you sleep will catch your nightmares and will bring good dreams to you.

An Objibwe legend speaks of the origin of the dreamcatcher that is associated with the Spider Woman, known as Asibikaashi:

Asibikaashi took care of the children and the people, as the Ojibwe Nation spread to North America it became difficult for her to reach all of the children. So the mothers and grandmothers began to weave magical webs for the children and the infants. These were originally made from willow hoops and sinew, or cordage from plants. Eventually the “spider webs” were made of fine yarns and nettle fiber. These dream catchers were said to “catch any harm that might be in the air as a spider web catches and holds whatever comes in contact with it.” 


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