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guardian spirit
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guardian spirit

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Article History

guardian spirit, supernatural teacher, frequently depicted in animal form, who guides an individual in every important activity through advice and songs; the belief in guardian spirits is widely diffused among the North American Indians.

In some traditions the guardian manifests itself in a dream or by other portents. In other traditions it is the individual who sets out to discover his guardian by undertaking a vision quest (q.v.).

This article was most recently revised and updated by Elizabeth Prine Pauls.