Three Rings Of Outer Circle-Ojibwe Flag
Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 8:58 pm
First Nations are a people with their own flag, and may even have form of government. Indian government including President, Vice-President, and so on. At first the US Gov prohibited Indian government, after establishing reservations. Indians felt a need to bring government back into the tribes, so they did. US GOV objected to this, but has since done nothing about it. Indian reservation land is managed by the US government, but Indians are the First Nations people, some still see Americans who aren’t native as “The Europeans.†Many Native Americans don’t want to live on a reservation and deeply resent the idea of having a Federal “Dog Licenseâ€.
Sault Ste. Marie Ojibwe Flag
Ojibwe or Chippewa, the largest of the Michigan tribes.
The Sault Ste. Marie Ojibwe flag has a black background
THE CIRCLE
Three-color set of rings and with an interior which is quartered.
Each quarter colored in a different hue, directed at specific cardinal points.
These 4 directions bearing a different animal symbolic of a particular clan.
THE OUTER CIRCLE
Three rings make up the Outer Circle, is known as THE RAINBOW which has been called the beautiful bridge to the spirit world.
1. The Inner Green.
The traditional color for THE EARTH MOTHER
2. The Middle Yellow
Representing the path of our Sun, passing through the day.
3. The Outer Red.
Is for of Earth and fire.
Blue is to represent Sky and all the waters.
THE CENTER
Aqua-green Turtle center of circle, Turtle has the head pointed North, symbolizes plant life and growing things. Represents the Mother Earth we stand upon. Turtle shells were once used for the calendar. The thirteen large squares counting full moons of the year. Moon phases were shown by 28 small squares around on the outside edge of shell. Turtle shell calendars count days of each lunar month. For this reason Turtles have a very strong connection to energies of the Earth.
Then on the back of the Turtle, you see a black Crane with a white body with the wing accents. The Crane prepares to take flight toward the West. Left is a Mountain-Ash branch which is shown in black. The Crane has the associated meaning; spokesperson for the clans, represents eloquence of leadership and their sense of direction. The Mountain Ash symbolic of durability, strength, and last but not least a strong character.
EAST
The direction of the rising Sun
Yellow background with a black Rabbit with white highlights and bordered in red. A Rabbit represents Manabozho as a messenger of Kitche Manitou The Great Spirit (Not all Indians use Wakan Tanka). Rabbit is intermediary on Earth among different species of beings, an advocate for the Anishinabek (whom he has imparted the gift of knowledge to).
SOUTH
Direction of full understanding, young men and women maturing in life.
Red background is for Earth and fire.
The Eagle’s (most likely Golden Eagle here) sphere is the heights and into the mountains, symbolizes pre-knowledge and courage. Has received from Kitche Manitou the gifts of strong wings, proud bearing, and keen sight.
WEST
Black symbolizes change from this life, the emotional part of ourselves.
Direction of the setting Sun, represents change from daylight to darkness, also the time of full maturity,
ending of life.
Deer is here a bringer of the gift of love and grace.
NORTH
Direction for the time of Elders, wisdom, answers to the meaning of dreams, purity, and midnight.
White background, features a Black Bear with white highlights and bordered in red. The Bear (all Bears, but some are West, the Brown Bear South) representative of all medicine powers, claws dig medicine roots and all Bears pass knowledge on through visions or dreams.
Sault Ste. Marie Ojibwe Flag
Ojibwe or Chippewa, the largest of the Michigan tribes.
The Sault Ste. Marie Ojibwe flag has a black background
THE CIRCLE
Three-color set of rings and with an interior which is quartered.
Each quarter colored in a different hue, directed at specific cardinal points.
These 4 directions bearing a different animal symbolic of a particular clan.
THE OUTER CIRCLE
Three rings make up the Outer Circle, is known as THE RAINBOW which has been called the beautiful bridge to the spirit world.
1. The Inner Green.
The traditional color for THE EARTH MOTHER
2. The Middle Yellow
Representing the path of our Sun, passing through the day.
3. The Outer Red.
Is for of Earth and fire.
Blue is to represent Sky and all the waters.
THE CENTER
Aqua-green Turtle center of circle, Turtle has the head pointed North, symbolizes plant life and growing things. Represents the Mother Earth we stand upon. Turtle shells were once used for the calendar. The thirteen large squares counting full moons of the year. Moon phases were shown by 28 small squares around on the outside edge of shell. Turtle shell calendars count days of each lunar month. For this reason Turtles have a very strong connection to energies of the Earth.
Then on the back of the Turtle, you see a black Crane with a white body with the wing accents. The Crane prepares to take flight toward the West. Left is a Mountain-Ash branch which is shown in black. The Crane has the associated meaning; spokesperson for the clans, represents eloquence of leadership and their sense of direction. The Mountain Ash symbolic of durability, strength, and last but not least a strong character.
EAST
The direction of the rising Sun
Yellow background with a black Rabbit with white highlights and bordered in red. A Rabbit represents Manabozho as a messenger of Kitche Manitou The Great Spirit (Not all Indians use Wakan Tanka). Rabbit is intermediary on Earth among different species of beings, an advocate for the Anishinabek (whom he has imparted the gift of knowledge to).
SOUTH
Direction of full understanding, young men and women maturing in life.
Red background is for Earth and fire.
The Eagle’s (most likely Golden Eagle here) sphere is the heights and into the mountains, symbolizes pre-knowledge and courage. Has received from Kitche Manitou the gifts of strong wings, proud bearing, and keen sight.
WEST
Black symbolizes change from this life, the emotional part of ourselves.
Direction of the setting Sun, represents change from daylight to darkness, also the time of full maturity,
ending of life.
Deer is here a bringer of the gift of love and grace.
NORTH
Direction for the time of Elders, wisdom, answers to the meaning of dreams, purity, and midnight.
White background, features a Black Bear with white highlights and bordered in red. The Bear (all Bears, but some are West, the Brown Bear South) representative of all medicine powers, claws dig medicine roots and all Bears pass knowledge on through visions or dreams.