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Circle Symbols in Saskatchewan Culture

 

            The early Aboriginal people in Saskatchewan were more spiritual, and they lived in perfect harmony with the nature. The circle in aboriginal life was a meaningful teaching stool. The aboriginal regarded the circle as the main symbol for understanding life's mysteries. They have observed that all live was circular movement which could be seen everywhere throughout nature. The circle was present in everyday life of aboriginal people from the ritual ceremonies to the healing process. The circle was a symbol of human equality. The circle is a universal symbol holding significant meaning for different cultures around the world.
             According to Moodley & West (2005), "everything an Indian does is in a circle, and that is because the power of the world always works in circles, and everything tries to be round" (p.298). The circle for aboriginal people represents equality among members of the community, no one is more important than any other person. They belie. An example of the circle is the Medicine wheel. It is a circle divided into four equal parts, each part can represent, for example: one of the earth's elements (fire, water, earth and air), one of the four seasons, one segment of the day (dawn, noon, dusk and night) or event one aspect of our human nature (spiritual, emotion, physical and mental). The east represents birth- the first stage of life, while the north is the last stage-the elder stage. But the circle is in motion, so as spring follows winter, rebirth follows death and the perpetual cycle of creation maintained. This illustrates the exact sociological approach of structural- functionalism where all parts work together to maintain solidarity and stability. .
             The medicine wheel illustrates the four directions of east, south, west, and north. Each of these directions cannot be considered separately from the others. Considering the pattern of the day and the year, the medicine wheel starts in the east where the sun rises and in the spring where life begins anew.


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