what's a dreamcatcher for?

[polytrip]

I saw a 'dreamcatcher' the other day, dangling in front of the bedroom window of a friend of mine. She couldn't realy tell me what these things actualy are supposed to do or what the whole idea of these things is, she has it because it just looks nice i think.
But i was wondering....somebody here must know, right?
So what is it with these things?

 

[narmz]

Dreamcatcher (wikipedia)

 

[۩]

Anything you have to remind you to remember dreams is important. The most, being a dream journal.
If you have something above your bed that you see before you sleep that reminds you of dreams,
chances are you will recall more of your dreams.
It's like an exercise.
And dream catchers are beautiful.

 

[vovin]

It's for catchin dreams silly. Pain in the ash to wash. Dreams are messy.

On a more serious note it's a native american spiritual tool that is supposed to filter out bad dreams. Realistically it wasnt used by native americans a great deal. It is far more popular as a modern ornament piece than it was to the indians. I believe only a few tribes actually used them.