Why is the cedar tree sacred to the Cherokee?

Answer 1

In the beginning when Cherokee people were placed on the earth, they imagined that life would be so much better if there were no night and it was sunny all the time. They went to the Creator and asked him to please give them daytime all the time and forget about the night. The Creator listened and removed the night and it was day all the time. Before long, the forest had grown so much the Cherokee could barely find a path to walk, they worked endlessly in the gardens ridding their gardens of weeds, and it became extremely hot. Since the day never ended, many people began to have problems going to sleep, starting arguing among each other and could not stand the extreme heat. They decided once again to speak to the Creator since they had made a terrible mistake. They asked the Creator this time if he would please make it night all the time. Once again, since he loved the Cherokee so much, he gave into their request. Before long, it became very cold, the crops quit growing, and no one could gather food since they were spending all their time in search of wood for fires to keep them warm. They were not only cold, but since they could not gather food, they were hungry and many died. They once again asked the Creator to return their world to the way it was originally and thanked him for life and the food they had to eat. The Creator felt so bad for the many that had died during the time that it was only night that he created a new tree for their spirits upon the earth. The tradition of the a-tsi-na tlu-gv {ah-see-na loo-guh} cedar tree is that it holds powerful protective spirits for the Cherokee.