Black Elk-Neihardt Park  Blair, Nebraska
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Pedestal Mosaics

Four smaller mosaics on pedestals with Prof. Thomsen's interpretations of Black Elk's descriptions of the four quarters of the world stand – in north, east, south, and west positions -- along a concrete path in the shape of a hoop. A cottonwood tree (cottonwoods were considered sacred by the Lakota) grows near the center of this hoop.

WEST
. . . where the thunder beings live. The colors are blue and black. The thunder beings have the power to send rain or lightning, the power to bring life or to destroy. The symbols are life-giving rain and the bow and arrow.
NORTH
. . . where the Great White Giant lives in power and the source of the cold and mighty winds which give strength and endurance. The color of the north is the white of the wild goose wing and the cleansing snows. The sacred herb of healing has one stem bearing four blossoms in the colors that represent the four quarters of the world.
EAST
. . . the source of the light of day and where the morning star lives. From the light of the east come wisdom and understanding, and from understanding, peace. The symbols for the east are the morning star and the pipe, and the color for this quarter is red.
SOUTH
. . . the source of summer and the power to grow. The color is yellow. The symbol is the sacred red flowering stick, which represents the tree in bloom.

 

The Black Elk-Neihardt Park Corporation, a Nebraska nonprofit organization, has been instrumental in planning, funding, and implementing this park in cooperation with the Blair Parks Department.