Raymond J. Demallie Quote
Thus the six grandfathers were the six directions. Black Elk became the sixth grandfather, the spirit of the below direction, the earth, the place where mankind lives, the source of human life. By becoming the sixth grandfather through the vision experience, Black Elk was identified as the spirit of all mankind. And the vision foreshadowed his life as a holy nman-as thinker, healer, teacher.
Raymond J. Demallie
Thus the six grandfathers were the six directions. Black Elk became the sixth grandfather, the spirit of the below direction, the earth, the place where mankind lives, the source of human life. By becoming the sixth grandfather through the vision experience, Black Elk was identified as the spirit of all mankind. And the vision foreshadowed his life as a holy nman-as thinker, healer, teacher.