The Shaman Symbol

The Religion, Ceremonies and Beliefs of the American Native Indians were dominated by shamanism in which a religious leader, called a Shaman, acted as a medium between the visible world and the spirit world. Two Paiute prophets, or shamans, named Wodziwob and Wovoka, introduced the Ghost Dance in a mystical ceremony designed to re-establish the native culture and restore the environment to pre-European levels. The Morning Star symbol was closely associated with the Ghost Dance and adopted by famous shamans such as Sitting Bull. The symbol of a Shaman is often associated with the following Shaman sun symbol and the similarities between the symbol and Morning star symbol are evident.

Shamanism and Art

Many art historians believe that art has its roots in shamanism and that its original function was to illustrate the shamanic experience and be a focus for shamanic power.  Even today shamanic art is never mere ornamentation; rather, it illustrates what the spirits look like, provides maps of the universe to keep the shaman oriented, and generates Mandalas—symbols of wholeness which remind us our role in the universe. Shamanic art is one of the tools of the shaman, just as are the rattle and drum. This is true whether the art is on the cave walls of Lascaux (ca. 17,000 years ago) or on a newly painted rattle.