The Medicine Wheel

The Medicine Wheel is representative of American Indian Spirituality.

The Medicine Wheel symbolizes the individual journey we each must take to find our own path. Within the Medicine Wheel are The Four Cardinal Directions and the Four Sacred Colors. The Circle represents the Circle of Life and the Center of the Circle, the Eternal Fire. The Eagle, flying toward the East, is a symbol of strength, endurance and vision. East signifies the renewal of life and the rebirth of Cherokee unity.

East = Red = success; triumph
North = Blue = defeat; trouble
West = Black = death
South = White = peace; happiness

There are three additional sacred directions:
Up Above = Yellow
Down Below = Brown
Here in the Center = Green

Winter = go-la
The color for North is Blue which represents sadness, defeat. It is a season of survival and waiting.
The Cherokee word for North means "cold" u-yv-tlv.

Spring = gi-la-go-ge
The color for East is Red which represents victory, power. Spring is the re-awakening after a long sleep, victory over winter; the power of new life.
The Cherokee word for East is ka-lv-gv.

Summer = go-ga
The color for South is White for peace, happiness & serenity. Summer is a time of plenty.
The Cherokee word for South means "warm" u-ga-no-wa.

Autumn = u-la-go-hv-s-di
The color for West is Black which represents death. Autumn is the final harvest; the end of Life's Cycle.
The Cherokee word for West is wu-de-li-gv.

This article was contributed by Sheila Anderson-Lewis and posted with her permission.