The Meaning of the Four Directions in Native American Culture

Four Directions symbol
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As part of the Lakota culture, when people pray or do anything sacred, they see the world as having Four Directions. From these Four Directions — west, north, east, south — come the four winds. The special meanings of each of the Four Directions are accompanied by specific colors, and the shape of the cross symbolizes all directions. Like many Native American beliefs and traditions, specific details regarding colors associated with directions varies.

West (Black)

To the west, the sun sets, and the day ends. For this reason, west signifies the end of life. As Black Elk says, “… toward the setting sun of his life.” The great Thunderbird lives in the west and sends thunder and rain from its direction. For this reason, the west is also the source of water: rain, lakes, streams and rivers. Nothing can live without water, so the west is vital.

North (Red)

North brings the cold, harsh winds of the winter season. These winds are cleansing. They cause the leaves to fall and the earth to rest under a blanket of snow. If someone has the ability to face these winds like the buffalo with its head into the storm, they have learned patience and endurance. Generally, this direction stands for hardships and discomfort. Therefore, north represents the trials people must endure and the cleansing they must undergo.

East (Yellow)

The direction from which the sun comes. Light dawns in the morning and spreads over the earth. This is the beginning of a new day. It is also the beginning of understanding because light helps us see things the way they really are. On a deeper level, east stands for the wisdom helping people live good lives. Traditional people rise in the morning to pray facing the dawn, asking God for wisdom and understanding.

South (White)

Because the southern sky is when the sun is at its highest, this direction stands for warmth and growing. The sun's rays are powerful in drawing life from the earth. It is said the life of all things comes from the south. Also, warm and pleasant winds come from the south. When people pass into the spirit world, they travel the Milky Way's path back to the south — returning from where they came.

Adapted from Lakota Life by Ron Zeilinger

Four Directions Prayer

Voice of the West:

Please stand and face the West.
Look toward the place where the sun goes down.
Your Grandfather is sitting here looking this way.
Pray to Him.
Grandfather sits where the sun goes down and paints his face black.
We ask the thunder beings to be generous with their water
because plants, animals and human beings need water to exist.
May Grandfather grant us the value of generosity
with our time to share with our relatives and friends.
We also want to take only what we need from life
and share with others from our knowledge and plenty.

Voice of the North:

Look toward the northern direction.
Your Grandfather is sitting here looking this way.
Pray to Him.
Grandfather paints his face red like the blood of the buffalo
Whose sacrifice gives life to the people.
Grandfather’s breath is the snow that cleanses the earth
and brings the cold harsh winds of the winter season.
North represents the trials people must endure and the cleansing they must undergo.
If we have the ability to face these winds like the buffalo
with its head into the storm, we have learned patience and endurance.
We ask the buffalo nation to share with us their power and courage
so that we may be able to defend our people, our spirituality, our culture,
our family and ourselves.
We ask for the patience to take care of the little ones as well as the elderly.

(Please be seated).

Voice of the East:

Please stand and face the East.
Look toward the place where the sun rises.
Your Grandfather is sitting here looking this way.
Pray to Him.
He sits where the sun rises and paints his face yellow.
We ask the elk nation to share their power of love with us
so that we may share our love with the environment, all people and our families.
We thank the Morning Star for guidance in our lives so we do not lose sight of our purpose.

Voice of the South:

Look toward the southern direction.
Your grandfather is sitting here looking this way.
Pray to Him.
He sits where the summer resides and paints his face white.
Spirit keeper of the south, show us the path that leads to truth and happiness.
Help us to remember to love and feel compassion for all humankind.
Help us to walk our paths with joy and love for self, for others,
for the four legged, the winged ones, the plants and all creation upon Mother Earth.
Show us it is right to make decisions with our hearts, even if at times, our hearts become hurt.
Help us to grow and nurture our self-worth in all ways.

(Please be seated.)

Voice of the Three Directions:

When the Lakota pray with the Sacred Pipe, they add three other directions: Sky, Earth and the Sacred Place Within.

Look to the sky.
Your Grandfather is sitting here looking this way. Pray to Him. He paints his face blue. We ask the eagle nations to be home so our minds may be able to soar with them. We pray to remember the past, learn from it and make the right decisions in our lives.

Look below to Grandmother earth. She is lying and looking toward the one who is praying. Pray to Her. Grandmother paints her face green. She gives us everything we need to live. Remind us never to take from you more than we need, and remind us to always give back more than we take.

Look to the center, the Sacred Place Within. Pray to the Grandfathers and Grandmothers to strengthen our values so we may be at peace within ourselves, the people around us, the environment and with the Creator. With all my relatives.