Home Blobb Little People World's Beginning The  Three Worlds

The Cherokee believed that there were three worlds.  One symbol had a circle with a line going west to east, and another from north to south.  This was the symbol of balance.  The purpose of this world was to keep the peaceful Upperworld and the rowdy and hectic Underworld balanced.  The flying group came from the Upper world.  They had wings to fly up and back down to Earth.  There were also the ones who lived very close to the Underworld, who could dig or swim back down to the Underworld, like the rodent who was sly and quick. There were also creatures that had four legs, and could neither fly nor dig very far down.  The mighty bear was one of them.  He had strength to live in the Underworld, but he also had the gracefulness to live in the Upperworld. Some creatures were said to be in more than one group, like the salamander.  It has four legs, and spends time in water and on land.  One creature was said to belong to all groups.  His name was Uktena.  He was the most evil of all.  He was a combination of snake, deer and bird.  If anyone met up with him, they were sure to die.  If someone found one of his crystal scales, they were promised a powerful charm, and would be brought much luck.  He had the wings of a bird, and the speed, grace and figure of the deer.  He had the head of a snake with big fangs.  He could fly, dig and walk on four legs through the forest.