Does anyone know what the circle represents in Native American culture in regards to structures: homes/schools

Answer 1

The circle is an important representation of the Native worldview - everything is circular, where in western culture it's linear. It's really hard to explain if you're not acquainted with the idea. Time, for example, is circular. In the past (before colonization) it wasn't as important how long ago something happened, but it was usually noted what time of year it happened (what "moon" it happened under). But a native person telling a story wouldn't say it happened 9 moons ago, they would say it happened "long ago, under the moon of the red berries," or something to that effect.

Life is viewed the same way - as a cycle, not a line. Homes, emblems, and other structures are depicted that way to reflect that worldview and remind the people that everything is circular.

I don't know if I'm explaining this very well! But just picture a circle vs a line with a definitive beginning and end, and that's the basic difference between native and western worldviews.

Edit: Whoever gave Marvin and I a thumbs-down obviously doesn't know what they're talking about - usually I respect opinions on here but on this issue I know he and I (as well as the third answer) are right, because it's my culture I'm talking about. How absurd!

Answer 2

what goes around comes around. there is no beginning and no end. when one dies another is born when another is born another dies. as the Dine said it is difficult to explain to one who doesn't understand THE PEOPLE THEOLOGY. But life is like a wheel. when one thinks there is nothing which can prevent his success then the wheel slowly turns and eventually that person will feel nothing will ever go right again. then the wheel slowly turns until the person is on top of the world again. this cycle will continue as long as a person lives on this Plane of Existence.