Native woman arms outstretched

prayers

Seven is the sacred number of the Cherokee. The seven sacred directions are East, South, West, North, all above, all below, and where you now stand in the center. The seven sacred clans are the Deer, Wolf, Paint, Blue, Bird, Wild Potato, and Long Hair (or Twister). Each had an important responsibility within each village.

Wolf-Keepers of the wolf and War Chiefs, wore red,

Bird- Keepers of the birds; had hunting birds they were messengers.

Blue-Keepers of the blue medicine to keep the children well

Paint-Make red paint; used crystals; medicine men and women

Wild Potato (later Bear) - Farmers, made bread from wild potato

Deer-keepers of the deer; fast runners and hunters

I pulled out my Cherokee shield pin and will describe it to you. There is a yellow star shaped flower in the center then circle of blue with leaves etched in gold, then a circle of red within the words "Seal of the Cherokee Nation" in English and in Cherokee then an outer ring of green. In Ireland goddess tradition, three represented the Maiden, Mother and Crone and the other trio was Body, Mind and Spirit. You have chosen the two numbers most sacred to your heritage (I am of course assuming that there is some Cherokee in there somewhere). ~ Pam Tinker, Eastern band Cherokee nation (Wolf Clan), Irish & friend