Globalisation has brought the world under a big digital umbrella, which helps everyone across the globe to connect, understand and imbibe with people all around them. As a part of this, we see a world that moves alongside the trends adapting and taking inspiration from any possible nooks and corners. One such pop-culture artefact that caught the eyes of the netizens was the Dreamcatcher. If you have watched the Twilight series, the enigmatic hoop that Jacob gifts Bella might have caught your eye. The dainty piece famous for its rusty looks, not only is a collection piece that could decorate your room but is also a powerful tool used by the Native Americans. 

In the traditional Native American narrative, dreamcatchers are handmade hoops made out of willow wood, embellished with feathers and beads, which would act as an armour of protection against bad dreams. The Native American tribe of Ojibwes are known to be the founders of the dreamcatchers. The Godmother of the Ojibwes, Asibaikaashi or the Spider Woman, found it extremely difficult to look after her people as the Ojibwe community started being nomadic. According to the old Objiwen tales, their women had to find an alternative method to protect their families. As a solution to it, they started weaving magical webs with charms for protection. 

Dreamcatchers in the present day are decor pieces that add a pop of indigenous feeling to your living space. But the Native American myths compare the dreamcatchers to sieves, which would filter your dreams while you are sleeping and only let the good dreams reach you. The structure of dreamcatchers also has an interesting myth behind it. The circular pattern that it is made in symbolises the shape of the earth. The web that is woven within is said to absorb the bad dreams and the feathers, the path that would lead the good dreams into you. If you are interested in owning a dreamcatcher you can find several DIY videos on how to make one. Let me know in the comments below if you own a dreamcatcher and whether you knew about the history of dreamcatchers even before.