The Cherokee thus say that the pine has the same nature as the stars and shines with the same light. Every day the mother grieved at the spot where he fell, and eventually a pine tree grew from her tears. The seventh was pulled down by his mother and swallowed by the earth. In the Cherokee version, seven boys performed a spirit dance, and all but one rose into the sky to become the six main stars of that star cluster. One of the Cherokee legends related to anthropologist James Mooney, who lived among them for many years and collected their stories in his book, "Myths of the Cherokee," concerns the origin of the Pleiades, for which many cultures worldwide offer an explanation. Healers with “owl medicine” bring comfort and visions of the future to those on their deathbed. Because of the owl's connection to the spirit world, the Cherokee believe it brings medicine to the sick and that its appearance signifies an impending death. The Cherokee particularly revere the owl because its eyes are on the front of its head, like those of humans. Only two animals were able to stay awake for the entire time, and these animals - the owl and the cougar - can accordingly see in the dark. In the Cherokee creation story, the animals inhabited an upper world called Galunlati when the Earth came into being, and they were told to keep watch over the creatures on Earth for seven days and nights. According to the Cherokee, two animals - the owl and the cougar - and five trees - pine, cedar, spruce, laurel and holly - have achieved this level. There are seven clans in the Cherokee nation, and the number seven also symbolizes a level of purity that few can attain.
In addition, the Cherokee recognize three other directions, up, down and center, which is where you are. In the Cherokee cosmology, the Earth is suspended from the heavens by four cords, which correspond to the four cardinal directions, north, south, east and west. The numbers four and seven recur in Cherokee stories, rituals and political arrangements. What are the Meanings of Cherokee Symbols? Cherokee Sacred Numbers
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