The Medicine Wheel

Medicine Wheels are not very common in Cherokee, but all the same exists.  Here are the basics of the Medicine Wheel anyway, because it is a very well known spiritual object and held very sacred to MANY different Native American tribes all over the United States.

The reason for it's circular structure, is because it represents the 'Circle of Life'.  The different colored sections represent the four 'cardinal directions'.

The red (sometimes blue) is the North, which also represents things like trouble and winter (a season of struggle) and mind.

The white is the South, also peace, summer and emotions.

The yellow is the East, also success, spring and spirit.  This is also the reason why the Eastern Band of Cherokee flag is yellow.

The black is the West, also death, Autumn (the final harvest) and manifestation (gathering together).

And the center is where you are (one of the 7 directions).  This represents balance and beauty.  The center appearance varies.