The Medicine Wheel

The medicine wheel is a sacred symbol and tool used in Indigenous Canadian cultures, representing a holistic approach to health and wellness that includes physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects. The medicine wheel consists of four directions, each with its own colour, element, and teachings.

The medicine wheel is a circular symbol divided into four quadrants, each with a specific colour, usually yellow, red, black, and white. Different Indigenous nations have their own teachings about the medicine wheel based on their stories, values, and beliefs. Each of the four areas of the medicine wheel represents various things such as the four directions, states of being, sacred medicines, seasons, elements, and stages of life. Each area and attribute of the medicine wheel holds its own teachings. The circle itself represents the circle of life, self-awareness, and knowledge.

In Indigenous Canadian teachings, the medicine wheel is seen as a way to bring balance and harmony to individuals, communities, and the natural world. It is used as a framework for understanding the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of respecting and caring for the environment and each other. The medicine wheel is also used in healing practices, ceremonies, and teachings to promote wellness and wholeness.

Reference:

Tribal Trade Co. (n.d.). Medicine Wheel Teachings: Native Medicine Wheel System Explained. Retrieved from https://tribaltradeco.com/blogs/medicine-wheel/medicine-wheel-teachings-native-medicine-wheel-system-explained