Cross-stitch patterns featuring Native American designs have several themes central to the beliefs of many tribes. Look for expressions of spirituality in patterns featuring animals, feathers, dream catchers, peace pipes and ceremonial dances. You will also notice the importance of the circle, or cycle of life, in Native American cross-stitch designs.
Respect for Nature
Cross-stitch patterns showing Native American themes show the deep respect and love for nature central to the beliefs and practices of Native American culture and tradition. The patterns you can find in stores will feature animals such as buffalo, horses, eagles, bears, ravens, coyotes, wolves and cougars, usually in their native elements. The pictures of these animals may show them poised proudly in a forest or on a wind-swept bluff as they face the elements of sun, wind, snow or rain. Along with depictions of animals, cross-stitch patterns often feature eagle feathers, which are sacred to the religious practices of Native Americans.
Spiritual Ceremonies
Native Americans live spiritual lives, entwined with nature and living peacefully with other cultures. Thus, the peace pipe will often be featured in important religious ceremonies. Other religious ceremonies will display scenes of Native Americans praying to the four directions: north, south, east and west. This is represented by a colored medicine wheel. Also look for graphed designs of headdresses, which are also important to Native American spiritual beliefs.
Ceremonial Dances
Some ceremonial dances have been opened to the general public. Those that aren't deemed so sacred that non-Native Americans aren't allowed to view them can be depicted on cross-stitch designs. Examples of ceremonial dances are the Sun Dance, a powerful force of nature, and the Dream Dance, featuring a Native American maiden as she dances in her traditional tribal regalia.
Circle Themes
You will see many cross stitch designs with Native American circle themes. The circle is central to Native American belief, signifying the cycle of life from birth to death. Also central to Native American belief are dream catchers---circular creations loosely woven with thread to "catch" dreams.
Significance of Beads
Native Americans began to carve beads out of wood, bone, turtle shells and horns in order to create ornaments for their tribal regalia. As pony beads, which were named after the animals ridden by traders, became more common, these and seed beads became a feature of their regalia.
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