Meanings

The Dream Catcher represents several meanings. All of the decorations and materials used to decorate them, all have a special meaning. A single bead in the middle may represent the spider that is on the web. Scattered beads throughout the web may represent good dreams that may have been caught throughout the night. A feather represents a symbol of breath or air which is attached so it hangs from the center of the ring. It is essential for life. A baby watching the air playing with the feather on her cradleboard was entertained while also being given a lesson on the importance of good air.

Legend

As the legend goes, the dream catcher was used by the Woodland Indians and was hung in the lodge (near the bedroom window). It's use was to catch all dreams, good or bad. The bad dreams would get caught up in the webbing and be held there till first morning light, then burned off. Now, the good dreams were caught, and knowing their way to the opening in the center, would filter down into the feathers and be held there, only to return another night, to be dreamed.
Good dreams go through the middle hole in the catcher while the bad dreams get caught in the web and perish in the dawn.