Lakota Word of the Week

The Four Directions

6/4/2015

Four Directions:
West-Black/ wioh peya (takiya)
North-Red/ waziya
East-yellow/wio hi yanpa
South-white/ ito kaga

Seventh generation, wind, earth, universe.

Tatuye topa is a common phrase meaning “the four directions”. It is used in songs to appeal to relatives in each of the directions.

Toward the four directions;

Towards the four directions of the wind
Toward the universe
Towards the earth
and to the seventh direction.

Since the coming of the pipe, the seventh direction embodies all the powers in all the directions, the power we hold within ourselves, and the power of the pipe. By including ourselves in the seventh direction we assume responsibility for our request. These explanations are general. For an in-depth explanation, one needs to consult a medicine man or an elder.

People often ask which color represents which direction. Usually, the colors are identified according to the book “Black Elk Speaks”. However, Black Elk’s description differs from the presentation of the directions by other Lakota groups on different reservations. The colors given here are not standard but are the ones used commonly on the Rosebud Reservation.

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Oceti Sakowin

The Four Directions