War shirts always take my breathe away. (I may very possibly have one as well..)
War shirts are a ceremonial garment worn by Native American warriors, signifying their status, accomplishments, and spiritual connection to their tribe. These shirts are highly decorated, often with intricate beadwork, quillwork, and/or painted designs, and serve as a symbol of their bravery and honor.
Among the Lakotas & Ogalalas, the Shirt Wearers, (as they were called), were the men who best exemplified the four great Lakota virtues of compassion, generosity, bravery, and wisdom; and they must have undergone the four sacred Lakota ceremonies. They were the leaders and grand councilors of the tribe, and were required to advance first in battle and be ready to assist a comrade at all times. Along with these hard obligations went abundant protection for the shirt wearer, for the blessing of Ma-heo-o or Wakan Tanka (the Great Mysterious) rested upon these holy war shirts, as did the blessing of the lesser sacred powers as well. This holiness was reflected in their rich beauty, being painted with sacred colors and decorated with quilled or beaded strips with sacred designs. Thus, the owner of a war shirt had a possession not only of great beauty but also filled with great power and, in this way, was abundantly blessed.
