The painting of “Black Elk’s vision” is of Black Elk, an Ogallala Sioux medicine man. This choice Native American and his unusual vision and life story offers a treasure of knowledge on Native American culture.
Black Elk was born in the twilight years of his people’s prosperity and participated in a number of stirring events, which proved to be turning points for all Native Americans. He was a boy of 13 when he defended his village and family at the Battle of The Little Big Horn, better known as “Custer’s Last Stand.” He suffered as his cousin, Crazy Horse, was tricked and killed by the white man. A part of him died at “Wounded Knee.” He lived a life of change, and witnessed the events that caused the final surrender of the Sioux Nation. He was a man of both power and sorrow for the people that he loved and served.
He learned and revered the old ways and watched with apprehension as the tides of change were forced upon his people. This lonely and brave man came from the old ways, bridged the gap of the tragic change, and lived to see his prophecies come true in a new era dominated by white men. Because he did not want the old ways of his people to be lost he therefore shared his vision and asked that it be carried into the future. The book “Black Elk Speaks,” [1932] by John G. Neihardt as told by Black Elk himself and translated as he spoke, by his grandson, is the written result of Black Elk’s wishes. The book is beautifully written and praised as literary prose. The vision that shaped Black Elk’s life is found within the pages of this unique volume.
THE GREAT VISION
During his youth, Black Elk had what we know today as a near death experience, in which he received a vision. Two beings of light came from the clouds and called to him, “Hurry! Come! Your Grandfathers are calling!” A bay horse met him and took him beneath the rainbow. There the Grandfathers were holding a council; they revealed to Black Elk that he had been brought there to be taught. Black Elk knew the Grandfathers were not old men, but the Powers of the World: The first, the Grandfather of the West; the second, the Grandfather of the North; the third, the Grandfather of the East; the fourth, the Grandfather of the South.
The bay horse told Black Elk to look to the land where the sun goes down, in the west. There Black Elk saw great black horses, the Thunder Gods whose power is as the lightening and their voices speak in rumblings deep within the minds of men. The gifts they give are those of sacred waters and revelation; from these Gods, men receive understanding.
The bay horse then wheeled toward the land from which the cool northern winds blow. There Black Elk beheld white horses flying as if on the wings of the snow geese which circled above them. The white horses and the snow geese bring the gift of healing to men here on earth. Black Elk was told that all on earth is given for the use of man and that all is sacred and pure. The bay horse told Back Elk, “On earth, a nation you shall make live, for you shall be the power of the white giant’s wing, the cleansing wind.” Black Elk was to become a great medicine man, a healer of his people.
The bay horse then turned to the east, where the sun shines continually. Here Black Elk saw sorrel horses whose color and beauty were as the morning sun. Black Elk learned he was to be granted power from the day-breaking star. The day-breaking star is symbolic of the hope in the second coming of the Great Grandfather. It was in the east with the sorrel horses that Black Elk was given the peace pipe and instructions from the Great Grandfather, “With this pipe you shall walk upon the earth, and whatever sickens …you shall make well.” The second gift given by the Great Grandfather at this time was the bison on a field of red, the color of good and plenty.
One last time the bay horse wheeled about, this time to the south, the place men are always facing. The power to grow and to prosper comes from the grandfathers of the south. Here buckskin horses were all abreast, and these turned to elk. The Great Grandfather, then told Black Elk, “Younger brother, with the powers of the four-quarters you shall walk, a relative. Behold, the living center of the nation I shall give you, and with it, many you shall save.” As Black Elk watched a great tree took root and grew in the center of the south, its branches filled with birds singing praise to the Great Grandfather. Beneath the shade of the great tree villages of people and every other living creature flourished, and all were happy. The great tree stands in the center of the nation’s circle and so long as the great tree endures and all the nations encircle it, there shall be peace and prosperity on earth. The gift of the south is the gift of all that prospers and grows on the earth.
Before Black Elk awakened the Great Grandfather of the Sky pointed and said, “Behold,” and there in the heavens the spotted eagle hovered. The spotted eagle is sacred and represents the mediator between man and the Great Grandfather.
Black Elk lived to see his prophecies come true. He suffered as the power of his great vision was insufficient to prevent the tides of change that stripped his people of their roots and culture. He has been described as a saint in the deeper meaning of the term; signifying goodness and integrity with a rare form of genius in his perception. Within his dream we find power from sources beyond our mortal ability to comprehend; for those who choose to seek meaning, there are rewards.
The painting, “Black Elk’s Vision” depicts Black Elk in his youthful, yet mature, years with the focal points of his sacred vision encircling him. To our native predecessors all things were sacred and have a place in the sacred Circle of Life; the four-legged, the two-legged, things that crawl, fly, and slither, each have their own special calling in the Creator’s plan for mortality. The purest essence of basic Native American belief is encompassed within this vision and offers an allegorical overview of native theology that has too long been misunderstood.
“Black Elk’s Vision” is one of several Native American paintings designed to inspire the onlooker with a better understanding of an almost lost culture. All who see them will be filled with deep appreciation for these unique people.
Printed on High Quality, Heavyweight, Acid-Free Paper, 18" x 24"
$5.95