Native American Star Quilts | International Quilt Museum (2024)
The star is an important symbol in traditional Lakota mythology and art. The story of the morning star describes how an old medicine man became the morning star after his death. The morning star was considered to have more power than the sun or moon because of the experience the medicine man gained from living on earth. Consequently, the morning star was a symbol for wisdom and understanding.
Today, the eight-pointed star is a symbol for the morning star. The eight points represent the four stages of life–infancy, youth, maturity, and old age–plus the four cardinal directions–north, south, east and west.
The Star quilt—given to honor individuals at birth and other milestones throughout life, as well as at giveaways—is a traditional emblem, a source of pride, and an item of tribal identity. Quilts draped over horses in a 4th of July parade, 1924. Fort Totten, Spirit Lake Indian Reservation, North Dakota.
With more than 8,800 quilts, the International Quilt Museum (IQM) is home to the world's largest publicly held quilt collection, dating from the early 1600s to present and representing more than 65 countries.
They were and are given in sympathy to the family of one who has died. They are given at births. Quilts honor friends and loved ones. For the newly married couple, the star quilt is considered an essential gift, bestowing upon them recognition and respect.
Consequently, the morning star was a symbol for wisdom and understanding. Today, the eight-pointed star is a symbol for the morning star. The eight points represent the four stages of life–infancy, youth, maturity, and old age–plus the four cardinal directions–north, south, east and west.
Introduction: My name is Frankie Dare, I am a funny, beautiful, proud, fair, pleasant, cheerful, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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