http://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/Pawnee-Acopalyptic-Myth-Pawnee.html
The following quote is one of three myths presented in the above cited website (I added an original image I made in adobe photoshop for a visual accommodation):
"The command for the final destruction of the world is in the hands of the four gods of the directions. The West will issue the command that the world be destroyed and the East will obey. Then the stars in heaven will fall to the new earth and become people. The people left in this world at the time of destruction will fly high into the sky and become stars themselves."
Image above copyright Joshua T. Jessen (2013)
Many Native American cultures shared a belief that
there are people living in the sky and the first people have come from the sky.
It makes me think about how much "wonder" the night sky must have brought to the native peoples and to people all over the world for that matter.
The influence that the night sky has had on people (or the sun)
and their various beliefs is something of interest for me. In the New Testament
in the Bible there was the all important star of Bethlehem which (apparently)
led the wise men to the new born Jesus.
It is of no surprise to me that stars have played important roles
in various religions because during the creation of these religions (which try to explain the
un-explainable) incorporating something that is awe inspiring (comets & constellations),
sometimes scary (meteors), and most importantly un-explainable (anything in the sky before
people started using deductive reasoning and tools to help them make sense of
it all) seamlessly fits the bill.
Spirits can appear to be un-touchable, un-graspable, beyond the
limits of mankind. Stars share these same qualities and can conveniently be linked with
other things unknown and "divine" hence the beliefs of native peoples and the evolution of religion in general.
Work cited:
"Native American Indian Legends - Pawnee Acopalyptic Myth - Pawnee." First People of America and Canada - Native American Indians. Turtle Island. Legends, Treaties, Clipart.. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2013. <http://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/Pawnee-Acopalyptic-Myth-Pawnee.html>.
Hi, Josh, I have personally comes across many legends about sky beings and the stars not only in Native American culture, but all ancient cultures. Many cultures including the Native Americans built their cities and structures to align with the stars and certain constellations.
ReplyDeleteStars were always a mystery and so was (or is) our origin. Of course we can feel pretty safe with the tracing back of mitochondrial DNA to lead us all to Africa...but looking up at the stars kind of made sense. As if those glowing gems in the sky had to be tied to our creation. It all makes sense!
DeleteCheers!
Josh,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you and Michael many other ancient cultures have beliefs that deal with the stars and the sky. I am reading a book about Norse voyages and there are a few chapters that talk about the stars.
Hi Josh, I like the myth and the picture you posted. The stars are awe-inspiring and comforting at the same time. And the Pawnee were right to think that people come from stars; don't we all have traces of stardust particles in us?
ReplyDeleteYes! We ARE STARDUST!!!!!!!!!!!!
DeleteI am glad you wrote that thank you!
Also, the song stardust by Hoagy Carmichael is absolutely beautiful!
here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em3xyZz_mow