The Seven Sacred Rites
White Buffalo Calf Woman gave the Lakota people the Seven Sacred Rites that would guide their spiritual life. The rites are: 1) Keeping of the Soul (preserving the spirit of the deceased for a year before release); 2) The Purification Rite (sweat lodge ceremony for cleansing); 3) Crying for a Vision (vision quest for guidance); 4) The Sun Dance (annual renewal ceremony with sacrifice and dancing); 5) The Making of Relatives (adoption ceremony); 6) The Girls Coming of Age (womanhood ceremony); and 7) The Throwing of the Ball (symbolizing the Creator's love). Each rite uses the sacred pipe given