Meaning of the Great Spirit Symbol

Native American Indians were a deeply spiritual people and they communicated their history, thoughts, ideas and dreams from generation to generation through Symbols and Signs such as the Great Spirit symbol.

The meaning of the Great Spirit symbol was to signify the divine power that created the world. The Great Spirit was the principal deity in the religion of many Native American peoples. A reference name for God. Names for the Great Spirit are given by some Indian tribes. 'Gitchi Manitou' is the name given by Algonquian speaking tribes. 'Wakan Tanka' is the name given by the Sioux which translates as the Great Mystery. The Blackfoot tribe make reference to the Great Spirit or Great Mystery as "Old Man" and "Ababinili" is how the Great Spirit is "known" by the Chickasaw tribe. The Great Spirit symbol shows a depiction known in Western culture as the Eye of Providence (or the all-seeing eye of God) representing the eye of God watching over humankind. In Western culture the symbol of the 'all-seeing eye' is usually depicted in a triangle as it appears on the United States one-dollar bill. The Great Spirit symbol is depicted within a four sided symbol symbolizing the cardinal directions.