SYMBOLISM OF THE EAGLE FEATHER 
A Lumbee Story 

In the beginning, the Great Spirit above gave to the animals and birds wisdom and
knowledge and the power to talk to men. He sent these creatures to tell man that he showed
himself through them. They would teach a chosen man sacred songs and dance, as well
as, much ritual and lore. 
The creature most loved by the Great Spirit was the eagle, for he tells the story of life. The
Eagle, as you know, has only two eggs, and all living things in the world are divided into two.
Here is man and woman, male and female and this is true with animals, birds, trees, flowers
and so on. All things have children of two kinds so that life may continue. Man has two eyes,
two hands, two feet and he has a body and soul, substance and shadow. Through his eyes,
he sees pleasant and unpleasant scenes, through his nostrils he smells good and bad
odors, with his ears he hears joyful news and words that make him sad. His mind is divided
between good and evil. His right hand he may often use for evil, such as war or striking a
person in anger. But his left hand, which is near his heart, is always full of kindness. His right
foot may lead him in the wrong path, but his left foot always leads him the right way, and so it
goes; he has daylight and darkness, summer and winter, peace and war, and life and death.
In order to remember this lesson of life, look to the great eagle, the favorite bird of the Great
Spirit. The eagle feather is divided into two parts, part light, and part dark. This represents
daylight and darkness, summer and winter, peace and war, and life and death. 
So that you may remember what I have told you, look well on the eagle, for his feathers, too,
tell the story of life. Look at the feathers I wear upon my hand, the one on the right is large
and perfect and is decorated; this represents man. The one on my left is small and plain; this
represents woman. The eagle feather is divided into two parts, dark and white. This
represents daylight and darkness, summer and winter. For the white tells of summer, when
all is bright and the dark represents the dark days of winter. 
My children, remember what I tell you. For it is YOU who will choose the path in life you will
follow -- the good way, or the wrong way.

BACK