From of old, Giniw is Omishoomisimaa (a Grandfather) who is looked upon by the Anishinaabeg Peoples as protector of Ziigwan, the spring Time Spirit of the East, and as a spirit that watches over all women of the Nation. He represents closeness to GICHI-MANIDOO, the Great Mystery...Giniw is honored for his vision as he sees the inclusive whole.
Like Migizi the bald eagle, he is the prayer carrier and messenger of the Anishinaabeg. As he soars across the skies, one knows he is carrying the prayers to the Great Mystery.
Carrying an eagle feather is a sacred act among our Peoples - this includes the Anishinaabeg, the Ininewak (Cree), Haudenosaunee (Iroquois), Oceti Cakowin (Sioux), Dine' (Navajo), Hopi, and many more tribes and Nations from across our Turtle Island.
Traditionally, to be given a feather from Gimisoomisinaan Giniw (Our Grandfather the Golden Eagle) is the highest honor one can receive. It must be given only to those who have earned it, and it must never be taken by force. It comes along with great responsibilities.
In some Western communities (such as Mikinaakwajiw-ininiwag, the North Dakota based Turtle Mountain "band of Chippwea Indians") the war eagle is honored as oshkaabewis (ceremonial helper) of the Thunderbird in the Sun Dance ceremony. It is said that the power of its feather comes directly from the Thunderbirds themselves; a person who is worthy of wearing an eagle feather must therefore acknowledge that he is recognized by the Animikii Binesiwag themselves as being fit and able to use their formidable spirit powers...
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Symbolism of the wedding rings
This wedding ring set, titled "My Spirit Underneath," is constructed of a sleek and modern overlay design of 14K white and red gold. The rings, which are inlaid with a feather symbol, distinguish themselves by a minimal design, their sober yet warm white-on-red tones creating a story of beauty and wonder.
The rings, symbolizing the golden eagle, and, in a deeper sense, matter and outward manifestation, reveal, in the shape of the recessed eagle feather, the ojichaagoma (soul or inner power) of two partners-for-life. The red gold interiors of the rings subtly show through the openings in the white gold exteriors.
The eagle feathers of white gold represent the spirit and the far vision of Giniw, the golden war eagle, powerful grandfather and spirit keeper of the East who carries our thoughts and prayers to GICHI-MANIDOO and who teaches us the virtues of courage, vision, and clarity of the mind.
The straight cannelure of red gold that runs parallel with the inlaid eagle feather depicts tghe inner, or spiritual if you like, journey that the owners of the ring set take together on mino misko manidoo-miikana, the good red road - the spiritual road that ideally leads to mino-bimaadiziwin, a better life for one self and each other and, eventually, for the People and the generations to follow.
The way I see it, the clean and minimalistic design of these eagle feather rings is a contemporary stilistic statement of beauty and design that may be at first sight Western-oriented. Yet at the same time the eagle feather symbol and the bright white color of the ring exteriors reflect the power of the eagle as well as the spirit of wisdom of giiwedinong-mitigwaakiing nindaayaanikaaj mishoomisag: my Ojibwe ancestors from the northwoods. I wanted the rings to be a stylish synthesis between Gete-anishinaabe izhinamowin (the old worldview) and contemporary design, and I wanted them to be a heart-felt prayer and to speak eloquently of pure form, as well as of a time of wisdom and harmony.
Haw sa, it is my hope that the design and the story of the rings guide the future owners of the rings to the lessons that they both seek while together walking the Path of Life and, eventually, bring them both closer to the teachings of the eagle feather - and, ultimately, through thse lessons, through ceremony and reflection, to GICHI-MANIDOO, the Great Mystery that lives in everything the world and the Great Sky Lodge is made of.
Giiwenh. That's how far the story goes. Thank you for reading and listening.
Miigwechiwendan akina gegoo ahaw! Be thankful for everything.
> See the website for details of the wedding rings
> Read part 5 in the series: Dance of the Otter