The Peace Pipe..
Posted 09-25-2008 at 04:35 AM by Pharm Girl
The word "peace pipe" most likely came into first use by white people, who initially had seen only the one use of the pipe. However, to the Native American, the Ceremonial Pipe had many more uses than just settling a conflict between tribes. Not commonly known “types” of pipes used in ceremonies were the Medicine Pipe and the War Pipe.
The Indian that carried the pipe was often allowed to pass through enemy territory out of respect. "Calumet" is the most accurate name for the pipe. (Actually, the calumet is the stem portion of the pipe only, and not the bowl.) Beyond that, Native Americans refer to it as a Ceremonial Pipe or, more commonly, the Sacred Pipe. Because they were Sacred, they were never laid upon the ground.
The pipe was kept in a buckskin pipe bag when not in use. A Native American pipe is commonly used in Spiritual Ceremonies. During the ceremony, Native Americans will smoke from the pipe and say a prayer to the four directions; the stem of the pipe is to be held upward during ceremonies, to form a sacred bridge between our world and that of The Creator.
The Native American pipe is not restricted to being used only by Native Americans, but it is a spiritual thing and what it symbolizes must be respected by everyone attending the ceremony.
All attending smoke, to think with a clear head, before any important business is discussed. Native American tradition held that smoking a sacred pipe was a sign that the smoker gave his pledge of honor. To show respect smoke would be blown into one's face. Captives would at times take this the wrong way, but it was actually a sign of kindness or respect.
Spirituality of the Pipe
The stem of the pipe represents the Male Principle as well as the Animal World, hence that sometimes there is a piece of fur wrapped around it.
The bowl of the pipe represents the Female Principle as well as the Plant Kingdom.
Consequently the whole of the pipe represents Creation, and as soon as bowl and stem are connected the ceremonial pipe becomes sacred as a result.
The tobacco being burned in it is believed to send one's prayers up to the Great Spirit or the Creator............. .....~
The Indian that carried the pipe was often allowed to pass through enemy territory out of respect. "Calumet" is the most accurate name for the pipe. (Actually, the calumet is the stem portion of the pipe only, and not the bowl.) Beyond that, Native Americans refer to it as a Ceremonial Pipe or, more commonly, the Sacred Pipe. Because they were Sacred, they were never laid upon the ground.
The pipe was kept in a buckskin pipe bag when not in use. A Native American pipe is commonly used in Spiritual Ceremonies. During the ceremony, Native Americans will smoke from the pipe and say a prayer to the four directions; the stem of the pipe is to be held upward during ceremonies, to form a sacred bridge between our world and that of The Creator.
The Native American pipe is not restricted to being used only by Native Americans, but it is a spiritual thing and what it symbolizes must be respected by everyone attending the ceremony.
All attending smoke, to think with a clear head, before any important business is discussed. Native American tradition held that smoking a sacred pipe was a sign that the smoker gave his pledge of honor. To show respect smoke would be blown into one's face. Captives would at times take this the wrong way, but it was actually a sign of kindness or respect.
Spirituality of the Pipe
The stem of the pipe represents the Male Principle as well as the Animal World, hence that sometimes there is a piece of fur wrapped around it.
The bowl of the pipe represents the Female Principle as well as the Plant Kingdom.
Consequently the whole of the pipe represents Creation, and as soon as bowl and stem are connected the ceremonial pipe becomes sacred as a result.
The tobacco being burned in it is believed to send one's prayers up to the Great Spirit or the Creator............. .....~
Recent Blog Entries by Pharm Girl
- 2 Row Wampum Agreement. (11-24-2008)
- The Code of Native Ethics.. (10-22-2008)
- Medicine Wheel Teachings.. (10-21-2008)
- The Tribal Laws of the Children of Light (10-10-2008)
- The Peace Pipe.. (09-25-2008)
