Eleanor Finch
The Iroquois Constitution is a foundational document for the Iroquois Confederacy, a union of several nations. The document outlines the political system and the roles and responsibilities of its leaders. One notable aspect of the constitution is its use of metaphorical language, such as the phrase roots have spread out from the tree, which compares the Tree of Great Peace to the unity and interconnectedness of the nations within the confederacy. This metaphor emphasizes the idea of strength and harmony through mutual support and peace. The document also includes sections like Funeral Addresses and advice for leaders, reflecting the comprehensive nature of this constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sentence containing a metaphor | "Roots have spread out from the Tree" |
| What the metaphor represents | The 'Tree of Great Peace' and its roots symbolize the Iroquois Confederacy, unity, and mutual support among the nations |
| What the roots symbolize | The nations or members of the Confederacy spreading out in various directions, indicating unity and connection among them despite geographical differences |
| Imagery and its meaning | The nations, like the roots of a tree that stabilize and nourish it, work together to support and uphold peace |
| Representation of the 'Tree of Great Peace' | The foundation of the Iroquois political system where all nations are interwoven, signifying strength and harmony |
| Importance of leaders | The Iroquois Constitution emphasizes the importance of honest and respected leaders who listen to the counsel of the younger generation and consider the welfare of future generations |
| Final sentences | "Cast not over your shoulder behind you the warnings of the nephews and nieces should they chide you for any error or wrong you may do, but return to the way of the Great Law which is just and right" |
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What You'll Learn
'Tree of Great Peace'
The Iroquois Constitution, also known as "the great law of peace", contains a metaphor in the sentence: "Roots have spread out from the Tree". This metaphor compares the "Tree of the Great Peace" or the "Great Tree of Peace" to the unity and interconnectedness of the nations in the Iroquois Confederacy.
The Tree of Peace is a symbol of how peace can flourish and grow if it is nurtured. The tree represents the foundation of the Iroquois political system, with its roots spreading in all directions, symbolizing the nations or members of the Confederacy. The roots also signify the journey of other nations who wish to join the League, as they must follow the roots to the source and take shelter beneath the tree. The tree is described as a great white pine, with large white roots spreading north, east, south, and west.
The creation of the Tree of Peace is attributed to Dekanawida, also known as the Peacemaker, who brought together the Five Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy: the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas. The tree was planted at Onondaga Lake, and the legend states that the 50 chiefs and warriors threw their weapons under the tree, burying their figurative and literal "hatchets". An eagle sits atop the tree, serving as a vigilant protector of the peace.
The Tree of Peace is a powerful symbol of unity, peace, and mutual support among the nations of the Iroquois Confederacy, and its metaphorical representation in the Iroquois Constitution underscores the importance of these values in their political system.
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Roots symbolise nations
Roots are often symbolic of stability, both in pop culture and religious symbolism. In the context of nations, roots can represent the deep connections and influences among peoples throughout history, as well as the racial and cultural ties that shape national identities.
In the Iroquois Constitution, the "Tree of Great Peace" and its roots serve as a metaphorical representation of the Iroquois Confederacy, with the roots symbolising the interconnectedness and mutual support of each nation in maintaining peace. The roots of the tree provide balance and symmetry, mirroring the spreading branches. This imagery suggests that the nations, like the roots of a tree, stabilise and nourish the political system, working together to uphold harmony and strength.
The tree of life symbol, which often includes roots, has been represented in various cultures, including Christianity, Ancient Egypt, Buddhism, and Celtic cultures. This symbol commonly represents connection, unity, and ancestral roots. The roots of the tree of life reach deep into the earth, reflecting the depth and multilayered nature of the symbol's interpretations.
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Unity and mutual support
The Iroquois Constitution recognises the importance of strong leadership in maintaining unity and mutual support. It emphasises the need for honesty among leaders and the respect that should be afforded to them due to their honourable positions. Additionally, the constitution encourages leaders to listen to the counsel of the younger generation and consider the welfare of future generations, demonstrating a long-term view of unity and mutual support that transcends the present.
The extended family structure of the Iroquois villages, where clans lived together in large wooden longhouses, also reflects the value placed on unity and mutual support. These longhouses, sometimes reaching 150 feet in length, provided protection and shelter during long, cold winters. By living together in these communal structures, the Iroquois families embodied the concept of unity and mutual support in their daily lives.
The Iroquois Constitution's emphasis on unity and mutual support extends beyond the living. In the "Funeral Addresses" section, there is a specific mention of the death of a chief woman, acknowledging her role as a "mother of the nations". This recognition of a leader's impact even after their passing showcases the enduring nature of unity and mutual support within the Iroquois Confederacy.
Overall, the Iroquois Constitution's use of the "Tree of Great Peace" metaphor, along with its guidelines for leadership and family structures, underscores the importance of unity and mutual support among the nations of the Iroquois Confederacy. By symbolising their interconnectedness and emphasising the welfare of future generations, the constitution provides a foundation for a strong and harmonious political system.
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Nations uphold peace
UN peacekeeping operations have proven effective in helping countries transition from conflict to peace. There are currently 11 active UN peacekeeping missions, with a total of 71 missions deployed since 1948. These missions work to prevent conflict, protect civilians, provide humanitarian assistance, and support the rule of law and human rights.
The Iroquois Constitution provides an insightful metaphor for understanding how nations uphold peace. It compares the "Tree of Great Peace" to the unity and interconnectedness of nations in maintaining peace. The roots of the tree symbolize how nations, like the roots of a tree, stabilize and nourish their political system, working together to support and uphold peace.
Similarly, the United Nations works to address the root causes of conflict, such as poverty, inequality, discrimination, and injustice, through its Peacebuilding Commission. By doing so, they lay the foundation for sustainable peace and development, assisting countries in emerging from conflict and reducing the risk of relapsing into violence.
Furthermore, the UN Security Council holds primary responsibility for international peace and security under the UN Charter. The UN also utilizes diplomacy, good offices, mediation, special envoys, and political missions to prevent and resolve conflicts. Through these efforts, nations come together to uphold peace and create a more stable and harmonious world.
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Iroquois Confederacy
The Iroquois Confederacy, also known as the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, is a union of several Native American and First Nations peoples in northeast North America. The confederacy was founded by the Great Peacemaker, bringing together five distinct nations in the southern Great Lakes area into "The Great League of Peace". The nations included the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca. In 1722, the Iroquoian-speaking Tuscarora people were accepted into the confederacy, after which it became known as the "Six Nations".
The Iroquois Confederacy is believed to have been founded between 1142 and 1660, with some research suggesting the date was as early as 1450. The confederacy emerged from the Great Law of Peace, composed by Deganawidah the Great Peacemaker, Hiawatha, and Jigonsaseh the Mother of Nations. The nations united in a common council composed of clan and village chiefs, with each tribe having one vote and unanimity being required for decisions. The Great Law of Peace established the joint jurisdiction of 50 peace chiefs, known as sachems, who oversaw all civil affairs at the intertribal level.
The Iroquois Confederacy is often characterised as one of the world's oldest participatory democracies, with its constitution believed to be a model for the American Constitution. The confederacy is properly called the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, meaning "People of the Longhouse", referring to the long, narrow dwellings that traditionally housed extended families. The symbol of the longhouse is recognised in traditional geographic locations, with each nation taking on a role within the metaphorical longhouse. The Onondaga, for example, are the Keepers of the Fire, while the Mohawk, Seneca, and Onondaga act as the Elder Brothers of the confederacy.
The Iroquois Constitution contains a metaphor in the sentence, "Roots have spread out from the Tree". This sentence compares the "Tree of Great Peace" to the Iroquois Confederacy, with the roots symbolising the nations or members of the Confederacy spreading out in various directions, indicating unity and mutual support among the nations. This imagery suggests that, like the roots of a tree that stabilise and nourish it, the nations work together to uphold peace.
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Frequently asked questions
The sentence "Roots have spread out from the Tree" contains a metaphor.
The 'Tree of Great Peace' and its roots serve as a metaphorical representation of the Iroquois Confederacy, symbolizing unity and mutual support among the nations.
The 'roots' symbolize the nations or members of the Confederacy spreading out in various directions, indicating unity and connection among them despite geographical differences.
The 'Tree of Great Peace' represents the foundation of their political system, where all nations are interwoven, signifying strength and harmony.
The Iroquois Constitution emphasizes the importance of honesty and respect for leaders, as well as the need for leaders to listen to the counsel of the younger generation and consider the welfare of future generations. It also includes funeral addresses for chief women, recognizing their role as "mothers of the nations." The constitution also mentions the warnings of nephews and nieces and the importance of returning to the way of the Great Law.
