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JN1-331 $45.00 8″ x 10″ Print

History of the SUNKA WAKAN

In early times The People traveled with dogs as their main way of transporting their possessions from camp to camp. When they first found the horse wandering the open prairie they thought that the horse was a big dog. Since Grandfather had placed the big dog before them, it was sacred or holy. Sunka Wakan, sacred dog.

In this painting the horse is re; the sacred color. The aura around him shows that he gets his power from Father Sky. The yellow square with four slashes indicates that his is a war leader and has led four war parties. The eagle feather tied in his mane represents that he has distinguished himself in battle. The horse hoof markings on his shoulder tell of the horse raids he has been on. The stripes on his leg show the number of coups counted from his back. The spots on his chest are hail marks; symbolically protecting him from bullets. The four lines from the sky and the earth represent the four sacred directions. The particles rising from the Sunka Wakan’s back signify that Father Sky has touched and given him his spots.

The horse is the animal that changed the way of life for entire people. Sunka Wakan was the gift from Grandfather, the prized possession, the object of status and the power of legends.

The finest mounted cavalry in history was the Native People. The Plains People respected and honored all creatures, but the horse, Sunka Wakan, was their spirit.