Page:The Mythology of All Races Vol 10 (North American).djvu/68

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PLATE V

Chippewa pictographic record of Midewiwin songs and rites. After Schoolcraft, Indian Tribes, part i, Plate LI. Two records are given; they are read from right to left, and upward. Following are interpre tations of the figures, abridged from Schoolcraft.

Upper record: I. Medicine lodge with winged figure representing the Great Spirit come to instruct the Indians. 2. Candidate for admission with pouch attached to his arm; wind gushes from the pouch. 3. Pause, indicating preparation of feast. 4. Arm holding a dish, representing hand of the master of ceremonies. 5. Sweat-lodge. 6. Arm of the priest who conducts the candidate. 7. Symbol for gifts, the admission fee of candidate. 8. Sacred tree, with medicine root. 9. Stuffed crane medicine-bag. 10. Arrow penetrating the circle of the sky. 11. A small high-flying hawk. 12. The sky, the Great Spirit above it, a manito's arm upraised beneath in supplication. 13. Pause. 14. Sacred or magic tree. 15. Drumstick. 16. Half of the sky with a man walking on it, symbol of midday. 17. The Great Spirit filling all space with his beams and halo. 18. Drum. 19. Tambourine with feather ornaments. 20. Crow. 21. An initiate or priest holding in one hand a drumstick, in the other the clouds of the celestial hemisphere.

Lower record: i. A Wabeno's, or doctor's, hand. 2. Sacred tree or plant. 3. A Wabeno dog. 4. Sick man vomiting blood. 5. Pipe, here representing "bad medicine." 6. A worm that eats decaying wood. 7. A Wabeno spirit, addressed for aid. 8. A hunter with Wabeno powers. 9. The Great Spirit, filling the sky with his presence. 10. Sky with clouds. 11. Fabulous monster chasing the clouds. 12. Horned wolf. 13. The war eagle. 14. Bow and arrow, magically potent. 15. A Mide initiate, or doctor, holding the sky. 16. The sun. 17. Bow and arrow shooting power. 18. Man with drum, in ecstasy. Cf. Plate XX.