First of all, an individual person must be taught what the meaning of "Respect" is and how it is applied to several aspects of "Life" in general.
When a "Sacred Feather" is given to someone, it is given out of love and respect of a certain individual, acknowledging and giving honor for some special deed done or for certain ceremonial purposes.
Usually, the "Sacred Feather" or Feather's are wrapped in a cloth, which includes the following ingredients: Sage, Cedar, Sweet Grass, and most of all Tobacco.
1) Sage represents: a purification from any evil or evil intentions
2) Cedar represents: Life and Strength Eternal
3) Sweet Grass represents: The sweet incense or smoke when burned, that calls upon the Creator Himself, and the GOOD Ancestors or GOOD Spirits ONLY, to come and Bless the gift given or the Ceremony being presented.
4) Tobacco represents: The speaker of TRUTH, when such a wondrous gift is given out of honor and respect and love, it comes from the Pure Heart or Spirit.
THE COLORS OF CLOTH IT IS CAN BE WRAPPED IN ARE:
1) The colour of RED represents the precious Blood of Life, past, present and future.
2) The colour of WHITE represents the Purity and Innocence of ones' heart. It is all that is Good and Honest and Pure without evil.
TO STORE OR PERSERVE SACRED FEATHERS:
1) Keep the Feather or Feathers wrapped in cloth with the (4) items mentioned before.
Place into a container with Cedar shavings, or place into a box MADE OF CEDAR. This serves a purpose two ways.
A) It protects the Sacred Feathers from any kind of evil influences attaching itself to them.
B) It serves as a protector against bug mites or pestilences that could destroy the Feather or Feathers.
