The 8 Deities of the Sioux Indians and the Ohio Hopewell Earthworks
Wankan Tanka - The Great Spirit that created everything. He governs all.
The number 8 is prevalent in the Ohio Hopewell earthworks. The octagon at Newark was constructed to venerate these gods.
The center column represents the Great Spirit, Wakan Tanka. He symbolized here as the Tree of Life. The 4 earthen columns on each side represent the 8 lesser deities.
Wi - The most powerful Sun god
Shkan - The sky god
Maka - The Earth Mother
Inyan - Rock and immovable things
Hanwi - Goddess of the Moon - wife of Wi
Tate - god of the winds
Wohpe - The falling star or meteor
Wakinyan - Thunderbird
Wi, The Sun God, was represented by circular earthworks or henges.
Maka, The Earth Mother was represented by the square. The largest circle may represent Shkan, the sky god
Stone walls on hilltop ceremonial works were dedicated to Inyan
Tate was the god of the 4 winds.
Wohpe - The falling star or meteor
Wakinyan - Thunderbird
Wankan Tanka - The Great Spirit that created everything. He governs all.
Wi - The most powerful Sun god
Shkan - The sky god
Maka - The Earth Mother
Inyan - Rock and immovable things
Hanwi - Goddess of the Moon - wife of Wi
Tate - god of the winds
Wohpe - The falling star or meteor
Wakinyan - Thunderbird
Tate was the god of the 4 winds.
Wakinyan - Thunderbird
