About the Medicine Wheel

The medicine wheel helps describe and interpret the meaning represented by the Four Directions and their colors. Each tribe and band within each tribe has their own interpretations and choice of colors for each direction. Therefore, the descriptions here are only one of many representations of the symbolism within the medicine wheel.

WEST

It is said that the West was the first direction to be created. When we pray to the Four Winds we start by facing the West - "Wiohpeyata" - toward where the sun sets. Thunder and lightening come from the west, and the color black represents dark storm clouds. When storms come it can be frightening, but if you have courage and patience you will see that the violent weather will pass and life-giving rain will follow. From the West we learn courage. This direction also represents birth and the beginning of new life.

NORTH

In prayer, we then face North - "Waziyata" - toward the tall pine trees. From the north comes hard, cold winter storms. We learn from the buffalo to face the winter wind and be strong to endure the hardships until spring. We count our years by the number of winters we have endured. So from the north we learn strength and endurance. We used to use the color white to represent the north but today many use red to represent the blood and sacrifice of the people. North also represents our continuing on in life as an adolescent.

EAST

We then face East - "Wiohiyanpata" - toward the sun rise. As the sun brings new light to the Earth, we see things in a new way. This is represented by the color yellow. This direction symbolizes enlightenment and wisdom. East represents adult life as we begin to recognize that through life hardships and experiences we have gained wisdom.

SOUTH

Finally, we turn and face South - "Itokagata" - the direction toward which we must always face. The South is the direction representing the Spirit World. It is represented by the color white for the purity of this sacredness. When Elders reach their time to die they realize that by sharing themselves and their wisdom the people can continue to live and thrive. From this direction we learn generosity.