Medicine Wheel (Sacred Hoop)

MEDICINE WHEEL (SACRED HOOP) -  The term “Medicine Wheel” is not a Native American expression.  It is of course of European and American origin.  What the symbol has been called in Native America depends on the language of each particular Nation.  The main design of the Native American Medicine Wheel is the most basic yet most perfect form – the circle.  This is one absolute not only in Native America for sacred hoops but also for most cultures that have some kind of "Circle of Life" symbol.   The second design of the Native American Medicine Wheel are the two intersecting lines that create a cross in the middle of the circle.  The lines separate the circle into four equal  parts.

The most common colors of the Medicine Wheel in Native America are Red, Yellow Black and White, these are not the absolute colors for all Native American Nations. 

It is widely accepted that the Medicine Wheel is a symbol of life and specifically the Circle of Life.  As well known the circle represents perfection as well as infinites since the circle has no beginning or end.  There can many reasons behind the meaning of the circle itself among Nations.  This can range from representing the Sun, Moon, Earth, and the Stars to representing the stages of life. 

The equal parts as well as the four colors have been said to represent the following:

• The Four Stages of Life:  Birth, Youth, Adult and Death
• The Four Directions:   East, South, West and North
• The Four Seasons:  Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter
• The Four Times of Day:  Sunrise, Noon, Sunset and Midnight
• The Four Elements of Life:  Earth, Fire, Water and Wind
• The Four Races of Man:  Red, Yellow, Black and White
• The Four Trials of Man:  Success, Defeat, Peace and War
• The Heavenly Beings: Sun, Moon, Earth and Stars