#lakota

The tale says that long ago two men from the Lakota set out to hunt for food during a time of famine. During their hunt they encountered an alluring woman who descended from the clouds, dressed in white with dark features. The first man was overcome with lust for her and grabbed at her, only to be swept up in a mist and turned to bones in front of his friend. The second was told to tell his people to build an altar of cherry and sage, and so they did, for she would return with a gift the next day. During sunset the next day she appeared and walked clockwise around the altar, setting down the bundle and unraveling it to reveal the ceremonial pipe (čhaŋnúŋpa) with which they would reconnect with the great spirit Wakan Tanka, only to be used during prayer and to carry them back to their sacred spiritual connection with the world. She bestowed upon them the Seven Sacred Rites and left over a hill, turning first into a black buffalo, then red, then yellow, and finally white, granting her the name Ptesáŋwiŋ, the White Buffalo Calf Woman.

Pantheon: Lakota

Domain or Function: Holy woman who bestowed the ceremonial pipe, Seven Sacred Rites, and taught the Lakota how to return to their connection with Wakan Tanka.

Alternate Names: Ptesáŋwiŋ, Ptesan-Wi, Buffalo Calf Maiden.

Character Traits: Holy and with supernatural powers.

Visual Traits: Described as having dark skin, eyes, and hair, and dressed in white buckskin.

Symbolism: White buffalo, ceremonial pipe, sage.

Design Notes: Wears a white buffalo as a skin/second face which billows smoke from its nose. She wears a white buckskin dress with the four sacred directional colors as well as a medicine wheel with the same colors. She carries the ceremonial pipe as well as a bundle of sage!