“Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be.” ~Karen Ravn
If you’re a vivid dreamer, you probably know how fascinating the visions that visit us each night can be. Dreams can linger throughout the day and captivate us for hours, days, even years. Sometimes they’re so convincing we have to ask ourselves: Did that happen? Did I do that, say that, live that?
Where Do Dreamcatchers Come From?
Dreamcatchers have their origins in the Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) people. Traditionally, a small woven hoop was associated with protection, particularly for children while they slept. Over time, dreamcatchers were adopted by other Native American communities and eventually became widely recognized far beyond their original cultural roots.
One traditional teaching connects the woven web with Asibikaashi, or Spider Woman, a protective figure in Ojibwe culture. As Ojibwe people spread across a larger area, the story tells that it became difficult for her to reach and protect everyone, so mothers and grandmothers created woven hoops for children.
What Does a Dreamcatcher Mean?
Dreamcatchers are commonly associated with protection during sleep and the filtering of dreams. The familiar idea is that unwanted dreams are caught in the web while good dreams are allowed to pass through to the sleeper.
Traditional dreamcatchers were made from natural materials such as willow formed into a hoop and woven with a web or net. Their circular shape and delicate webbing are part of what makes each one so distinctive.
More Than Boho Decor
Today, dreamcatchers appear everywhere from jewelry and clothing to wall art and home decor. But their story goes much deeper than the boho imagery they eventually became associated with. Knowing their Ojibwe origins gives us a better appreciation for the history and meaning behind them.
Here at Soul Flower, we’ve always been drawn to art, nature, symbolism and the stories behind the things that inspire us. And whether you remember your dreams every morning or almost never, there’s something pretty magical about waking up with a dream still floating around in your head.
Sweet dreams, buds. <3
Feeling inspired? Make your own with our DIY boho wall hanging and easy dream catcher tutorial.
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