The Native American Pipe and Prayer Ceremony

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The Native American Pipe has often been referred to as the Peace Pipe. This came about because it was often used by the Plains tribes to “seal” a Peace Treaty between the Tribes and the US Government. As our government uses a Bible to swear on in our courts, the Tribes used the Pipe to seal an agreement or treaty.

Although the Pipe has been used socially and for ceremony, the most important aspect of the Pipe for many is its use for prayer.

When we pray with the Pipe we are praying for and with everything in our Universe. The two parts of the Pipe, the bowl and the stem are also very symbolic. The bowl represents the Earth and the female aspect while the stem represents Spirit and the male aspect. When the two parts are joined it creates balance and harmony in our world. It becomes a living thing filled with the energy connecting every part of our universe. That energy we call LOVE!

As each pinch of tobacco is placed into the Pipe bowl, a prayer is put in with it, by all present. The prayers are from all of those participating in the ceremony. When the Pipe is offered in prayer, those prayers in the tobacco are offered. When the Pipe is lit the visual prayer to the Creator is the smoke rising to the Creator.

Each tribe has its own way of ceremony and ritual but most offer the Pipe bowl, filled with prayers/tobacco to the four directions, east, south, west, north, and then to the Creator, the Earth Mother and the energy of Love that connects All There Is. The Pipe is usually passed in a clockwise circle to all participants.