Grouse Tail Smudge Feather Fan


Description
Overview
The photos are of 2 slightly different fans for sale in this listing.

Handmade item
Materials: Spiritually Hand Made, Culturally Crafted, Elk Leather, replica, Grouse Tail Feathers, Maple Wood Handle, Elk Hide, Deer Lace

No two Custom Handmade Medicine Fan are exactly the same, there will be some variances in looks..
Prayer Fans
Prayer Fans have been used by Native Americans in the past to assist in physical healing of the body. Today they are usually used for spiritual healing of the soul and heart. Spiritual traditions and beliefs are infused into the very essence of prayer fans and their use is believed to alter the physical and spiritual life of those upon whom the fans are used.

Native Americans believe, like many other cultures, that birds link both the physical world and the world of spirits. Prayer fans are crafted from a great variety of feathers from many different birds depending on the type of ritual or ceremony that is to be conducted. It is believed that a transfer of the bird’s spirit takes place in the feathers and thus is included right in the prayer fan itself. Therefore, the Native American craftsmen are extremely careful in the selection of the feathers and the fabrication of the fan.
During a ritual or ceremony, the use of a fan sends a specific prayer message to the Great Spirits in the Heavens above. A fire is started, and the message is sent by waving the fan in and out of the smoke. The prayers are thus carried upward by the smoke to the Spiritual Realms above.
If the ceremony is for a physical ailment, certain healing herbs are burned in the fire, and the resulting smoke is wafted towards the sick individual to help effect a cure. This is called smudging. Several different herbs create the healing smoke. Sage is usually the first herb used in order to encourage any lurking evil spirits to flee from the area. Next, cedar is burned as it is believed to refresh and cleanse. Then smoke from sweet grass is fanned in order to attract beneficial spirits. Finally, depending on the ailment, smoke from various restorative herbs are fanned and directed to that part of the body that is in need of healing.
Native American Prayer Fans differ, of course, depending on location, tribal beliefs, and ceremonial customs. They can be flat and stiff, flat and loose, or even double-sided. The Native American craftsmen select certain types of feathers depending on the purpose of the fan. Much time and care are expended in the fabrication. Feathers must be selected carefully and paired together, then ceremonially washed in special herbal solutions and dried before being crafted together.
Many people collect Prayer Fans as a part of their Native American collection to be displayed at home. However, some do recognize the care and sacred devotion that went into their creation and consequently make use of them in cleansing and healing of body and soul.

Prayer Fans are commonly given as a gift to heal the heart. Just as ancient Americans used the feathers to send prayers to the heavens and draw healing power from the sky, so with all sincerity we hope such healing accompanies you with every footstep. Each is unique with regard to the feathers, buckskin, fur and glass beads and made in many variations.
Features:

Grouse are also used as clan animals in some Native American cultures. Tribes with Grouse Clans include the Chippewa tribe (whose Grouse Clan and its totem are called Aagask) and the Prairie Chicken clans of the Mandan and Hidatsa. Grouse is used as a clan crest in some Northwest Coast tribes, such as the Tsimshian, and can occasionally be found carved on totem poles.

The grouse is known for its courtship dance, during which it often spirals or circles, while impressively displaying crest, ruff, and tail feathers. The grouse's dance calls to mind the sacred dances of shamans and Native American culture.
Dimensions: Approx. 16″ long + 8″ Wide.