Folklore of berries

The Northeast Native American tribes revered blueberries, and much folklore developed around them.

The blossom end of each berry, the calyx, forms the shape of a perfect five-pointed star; the elders of the tribe would tell of how the Great Spirit sent ‘star berries’ to relieve the children’s hunger during a famine.

Blueberry juice was used for ‘old coughs’ and tea made from Wild Blueberry leaves was believed to be a good tonic to help purify the blood.

Bilberry

Bilberry also called the whortleberry or mulberry, was significant calendar marker in Ireland up to the present.

Festivals celebrating the Celtic summer feast of Lughnasa included climbing hills to gather bilberries who were eaten on the spot or saved to make pies and wine; after Lughnasa, the berries were said to lose their flavor.

Blackberries, which were scared to the goddess Bridgit, ripen in late summer and early fall and blackberry wines were made and dedicated to her.

In Ireland there was and still is, a folk taboo against eating blackberries after the autumnal equinox, but all berries made into wines for the goddess were permissible to use.
Folklore of berries

Eagle feathers in culture of Native American

Native American cultures have long horned and worshipped eagles, which were believe to carry prayers to the Creator. It has also been sued as a symbol of peace and war and as the inspiration for the eagle dances of many North American tribes.

Eagle feathers hold a sacred place in Native American culture and religious practices.

Eagle feathers were used to make headdresses, shield decorations, dance costumes and many other items.

They were also worn in the hair as marks of identity; the placement of the feather on the head and the markings on the feather let others know who the wearer was and what he had done in his life.

Many Native American cultures used bald-eagle feathers as decorations. Northwest tribes sometimes carved bald-eagle images onto totem poles.

Most all Native American Indians attach special significance to the Eagle and its feathers as images are used in many tribal logos. To be given an Eagle feather is the highest honor that can be awarded within indigenous cultures.
Eagle feathers in culture of Native American