Blood Turned Into Stone Summary and Analysis

The most important legend relates to the origin of the Sioux nation itself. A great flood raged over the plains, killing everyone. The bones and blood of the dead eventually formed a pool which hardened into red pipestone rock in Minnesota. The rock, to the Sioux, is sacred. An eagle saved one woman from the flood, by taking her to a mountaintop. She gave birth to twins, who became the original Sioux. Pools of blood show up in a number of other Indian legends as well, although many tales are sketchy, having been lost through the generations. In many of these, however, the key appears to be the red pipestone rock from which the Sioux pipe is made.

The pipe itself has great symbolism and is the most important piece of any celebration or ceremony...